Control fields for null data packet feedback reports

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses, computer readable media, and methods for control field for null data packet feedback report trigger are disclosed. A station is disclosed, the station comprising processing circuitry configured to: decode a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU) comprising an A-control field of type null data packet (NDP) feedback report poll comprising a feedback type field and an indication of a resource unit (RU). The processing circuitry further configured to determine whether the station is scheduled to respond to the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll, and if the station is scheduled to respond to the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll, configure the station to transmit a response to a feedback type indicated by the value of the feedback type field on the RU. Apparatuses, computer readable media, and methods for short block acknowledgment with NDP are disclosed.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a U.S. National Stage Filing under 35 U.S.C. 371from International Application No. PCT/US2017/058438, filed Oct. 26,2017 and published in English as WO 2018/156211 on Aug. 30, 2018, whichclaims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/461,643, filed Feb. 21, 2017, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/463,985, filed Feb. 27, 2017, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments pertain to wireless networks and wireless communications.Some embodiments relate to wireless local area networks (WLANs) andWi-Fi networks including networks operating in accordance with the IEEE802.11 family of standards. Some embodiments relate to IEEE 802.1 lax.Some embodiments relate to methods, computer readable media, andapparatus for control fields for null data packet (NDP) feedbackreports.

BACKGROUND

Efficient use of the resources of a wireless local-area network (WLAN)is important to provide bandwidth and acceptable response times to theusers of the WLAN. However, often there are many devices trying to sharethe same resources and some devices may be limited by the communicationprotocol they use or by their hardware bandwidth. Moreover, wirelessdevices may need to operate with both newer protocols and with legacydevice protocols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which likereferences indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a radio architecture in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front-end module circuitry for use in the radioarchitecture of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a radio integrated circuitry (IC) circuitry for usein the radio architecture of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments:

FIG. 4 illustrates a baseband processing circuitry for use in the radioarchitecture of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments:

FIG. 5 illustrates a WLAN in accordance with some embodiments:

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine upon which anyone or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies) discussed herein mayperform;

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless device uponwhich any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies oroperations) discussed herein may perform:

FIG. 8 illustrates resource units (RUs) for short feedback in accordancewith some embodiments:

FIG. 9 illustrates a trigger frame in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates a common information field in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 11 illustrates fields of a NDP feedback report poll trigger framein accordance with some embodiments:

FIG. 12 illustrates a method of NDP feedback report poll in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 13 illustrates an A-control field NDP feedback report poll inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 14 illustrates a method of control field trigger for NDP feedbackreport in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 15 illustrates a method of control field trigger for NDP feedbackreport in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 16 illustrates a method of control field trigger for NDP feedbackreport in accordance with some embodiments:

FIG. 17 illustrates A-control field NDP feedback report blockacknowledgement (BA) trigger frame in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 18 illustrates a method for short BA with NDPs in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 19 illustrates a method of control field for NDP feedback reporttrigger in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 20 illustrates a method of control field for NDP feedback reporttrigger in accordance with some embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustratespecific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practicethem. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical,process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodimentsmay be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments.Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalentsof those claims.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a radio architecture 100 in accordance withsome embodiments. Radio architecture 100 may include radio front-endmodule (FEM) circuitry 104, radio IC circuitry 106 and basebandprocessing circuitry 108. Radio architecture 100 as shown includes bothWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) functionality and Bluetooth (BT)functionality although embodiments are not so limited. In thisdisclosure, “WLAN” and “Wi-Fi” are used interchangeably.

FEM circuitry 104 may include a WLAN or Wi-Fi FEM circuitry 104A and aBluetooth (BT) FEM circuitry 104B. The WLAN FEM circuitry 104A mayinclude a receive signal path comprising circuitry configured to operateon WLAN RF signals received from one or more antennas 101, to amplifythe received signals and to provide the amplified versions of thereceived signals to the WLAN radio IC circuitry 106A for furtherprocessing. The BT FEM circuitry 104B may include a receive signal pathwhich may include circuitry configured to operate on BT RF signalsreceived from one or more antennas 101, to amplify the received signalsand to provide the amplified versions of the received signals to the BTradio IC circuitry 106B for further processing. FEM circuitry 104A mayalso include a transmit signal path which may include circuitryconfigured to amplify WLAN signals provided by the radio IC circuitry106A for wireless transmission by one or more of the antennas 101. Inaddition, FEM circuitry 104B may also include a transmit signal pathwhich may include circuitry configured to amplify BT signals provided bythe radio IC circuitry 106B for wireless transmission by the one or moreantennas. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, although FEM 104A and FEM 104Bare shown as being distinct from one another, embodiments are not solimited, and include within their scope the use of an FEM (not shown)that includes a transmit path and/or a receive path for both WLAN and BTsignals, or the use of one or more FEM circuitries where at least someof the FEM circuitries share transmit and/or receive signal paths forboth WLAN and BT signals.

Radio IC circuitry 106 as shown may include WLAN radio IC circuitry 106Aand BT radio IC circuitry 106B. The WLAN radio IC circuitry 106A mayinclude a receive signal path which may include circuitry todown-convert WLAN RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 104A andprovide baseband signals to WLAN baseband processing circuitry 108A. BTradio IC circuitry 106B may in turn include a receive signal path whichmay include circuitry to down-convert BT RF signals received from theFEM circuitry 104B and provide baseband signals to BT basebandprocessing circuitry 108B. WLAN radio IC circuitry 106A may also includea transmit signal path which may include circuitry to up-convert WLANbaseband signals provided by the WLAN baseband processing circuitry 108Aand provide WLAN RF output signals to the FEM circuitry 104A forsubsequent wireless transmission by the one or more antennas 101. BTradio IC circuitry 106B may also include a transmit signal path whichmay include circuitry to up-convert BT baseband signals provided by theBT baseband processing circuitry 108B and provide BT RF output signalsto the FEM circuitry 104B for subsequent wireless transmission by theone or more antennas 101. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, although radio ICcircuitries 106A and 106B are shown as being distinct from one another,embodiments are not so limited, and include within their scope the useof a radio IC circuitry (not shown) that includes a transmit signal pathand/or a receive signal path for both WLAN and BT signals, or the use ofone or more radio IC circuitries where at least some of the radio ICcircuitries share transmit and/or receive signal paths for both WLAN andBT signals.

Baseband processing circuitry 108 may include a WLAN baseband processingcircuitry 108A and a BT baseband processing circuitry 108B. The WLANbaseband processing circuitry 108A may include a memory, such as, forexample, a set of RAM arrays in a Fast Fourier Transform or Inverse FastFourier Transform block (not shown) of the WLAN baseband processingcircuitry 108A. Each of the WLAN baseband circuitry 108A and the BTbaseband circuitry 108B may further include one or more processors andcontrol logic to process the signals received from the correspondingWLAN or BT receive signal path of the radio IC circuitry 106, and toalso generate corresponding WLAN or BT baseband signals for the transmitsignal path of the radio IC circuitry 106. Each of the basebandprocessing circuitries 108A and 108B may further include physical layer(PHY) and medium access control layer (MAC) circuitry, and may furtherinterface with application processor 111 for generation and processingof the baseband signals and for controlling operations of the radio ICcircuitry 106.

Referring still to FIG. 1, according to the shown embodiment, WLAN-BTcoexistence circuitry 113 may include logic providing an interfacebetween the WLAN baseband circuitry 108A and the BT baseband circuitry108B to enable use cases requiring WLAN and BT coexistence. In addition,a switch 103 may be provided between the WLAN FEM circuitry 104A and theBT FEM circuitry 104B to allow switching between the WLAN and BT radiosaccording to application needs. In addition, although the antennas 101are depicted as being respectively connected to the WLAN FEM circuitry104A and the BT FEM circuitry 104B, embodiments include within theirscope the sharing of one or more antennas as between the WLAN and BTFEMs, or the provision of more than one antenna connected to each of FEM104A or 104B.

In some embodiments, the front-end module circuitry 104, the radio ICcircuitry 106, and baseband processing circuitry 108 may be provided ona single radio card, such as wireless radio card 102. In some otherembodiments, the one or more antennas 101, the FEM circuitry 104 and theradio IC circuitry 106 may be provided on a single radio card. In someother embodiments, the radio IC circuitry 106 and the basebandprocessing circuitry 108 may be provided on a single chip or IC, such asIC 112.

In some embodiments, the wireless radio card 102 may include a WLANradio card and may be configured for Wi-Fi communications, although thescope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some ofthese embodiments, the radio architecture 100 may be configured toreceive and transmit orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) ororthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communicationsignals over a multicarrier communication channel. The OFDM or OFDMAsignals may comprise a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers.

In some of these multicarrier embodiments, radio architecture 100 may bepart of a Wi-Fi communication station (STA) such as a wireless accesspoint (AP), a base station or a mobile device including a Wi-Fi device.In some of these embodiments, radio architecture 100 may be configuredto transmit and receive signals in accordance with specificcommunication standards and/or protocols, such as any of the Instituteof Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards including, IEEE802.11n-2009, IEEE 802.11-2012, IEEE 802.11-2016, IEEE 802.11ac, and/orIEEE 802.11ax standards and/or proposed specifications for WLANs,although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. Radioarchitecture 100 may also be suitable to transmit and/or receivecommunications in accordance with other techniques and standards.

In some embodiments, the radio architecture 100 may be configured forhigh-efficiency (HE) Wi-Fi (HEW) communications in accordance with theIEEE 802.1 lax standard. In these embodiments, the radio architecture100 may be configured to communicate in accordance with an OFDMAtechnique, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in thisrespect.

In some other embodiments, the radio architecture 100 may be configuredto transmit and receive signals transmitted using one or more othermodulation techniques such as spread spectrum modulation (e.g., directsequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) and/or frequencyhopping code division multiple access (FH-CDMA)), time-divisionmultiplexing (TDM) modulation, and/or frequency-division multiplexing(FDM) modulation, although the scope of the embodiments is not limitedin this respect.

In some embodiments, as further shown in FIG. 1, the BT basebandcircuitry 108B may be compliant with a Bluetooth (BT) connectivitystandard such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth 4.0 or Bluetooth 5.0, or any otheriteration of the Bluetooth Standard. In embodiments that include BTfunctionality as shown for example in FIG. 1, the radio architecture 100may be configured to establish a BT synchronous connection oriented(SCO) link and/or a BT low energy (BT LE) link. In some of theembodiments that include functionality, the radio architecture 100 maybe configured to establish an extended SCO (eSCO) link for BTcommunications, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited inthis respect. In some of these embodiments that include a BTfunctionality, the radio architecture may be configured to engage in aBT Asynchronous Connection-Less (ACL) communications, although the scopeof the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some embodiments,as shown in FIG. 1, the functions of a BT radio card and WLAN radio cardmay be combined on a single wireless radio card, such as single wirelessradio card 102, although embodiments are not so limited, and includewithin their scope discrete WLAN and BT radio cards

In some embodiments, the radio-architecture 100 may include other radiocards, such as a cellular radio card configured for cellular (e.g., 3GPPsuch as LTE, LTE-Advanced or 5G communications).

In some IEEE 802.11 embodiments, the radio architecture 100 may beconfigured for communication over various channel bandwidths includingbandwidths having center frequencies of about 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz,and bandwidths of about 1 MHz, 2 MHz, 2.5 MHz, 4 MHz. 5 MHz. 8 MHz, 10MHz, 16 MHz, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz (with contiguous bandwidths) or80+80 MHz (160 MHz) (with non-contiguous bandwidths). In someembodiments, a 320 MHz channel bandwidth may be used. The scope of theembodiments is not limited with respect to the above center frequencieshowever.

FIG. 2 illustrates FEM circuitry 200 in accordance with someembodiments. The FEM circuitry 200 is one example of circuitry that maybe suitable for use as the WLAN and/or BT FEM circuitry 104A/104B (FIG.1), although other circuitry configurations may also be suitable.

In some embodiments, the FEM circuitry 200 may include a TX/RX switch202 to switch between transmit mode and receive mode operation. The FEMcircuitry 200 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signalpath. The receive signal path of the FEM circuitry 200 may include alow-noise amplifier (LNA) 206 to amplify received RF signals 203 andprovide the amplified received RF signals 207 as an output (e.g., to theradio IC circuitry 106 (FIG. 1)). The transmit signal path of thecircuitry 200 may include a power amplifier (PA) to amplify input RFsignals 209 (e.g., provided by the radio IC circuitry 106), and one ormore filters 212, such as band-pass filters (BPFs), low-pass filters(LPFs) or other types of filters, to generate RF signals 215 forsubsequent transmission (e.g., by one or more of the antennas 101 (FIG.1)).

In some dual-mode embodiments for Wi-Fi communication, the FEM circuitry200 may be configured to operate in either the 2.4 GHz frequencyspectrum or the 5 GHz frequency spectrum. In these embodiments, thereceive signal path of the FEM circuitry 200 may include a receivesignal path duplexer 204 to separate the signals from each spectrum aswell as provide a separate LNA 206 for each spectrum as shown. In theseembodiments, the transmit signal path of the FEM circuitry 200 may alsoinclude a power amplifier 210 and a filter 212, such as a BPF, a LPF oranother type of filter for each frequency spectrum and a transmit signalpath duplexer 214 to provide the signals of one of the differentspectrums onto a single transmit path for subsequent transmission by theone or more of the antennas 101 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, BTcommunications may utilize the 2.4 GHZ signal paths and may utilize thesame FEM circuitry 200 as the one used for WLAN communications.

FIG. 3 illustrates radio integrated circuitry (IC) 300 in accordancewith some embodiments. The radio IC circuitry 300 is one example ofcircuitry that may be suitable for use as the WLAN or BT radio ICcircuitry 106A/106B (FIG. 1), although other circuitry configurationsmay also be suitable.

In some embodiments, the radio IC circuitry 300 may include a receivesignal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of theradio IC circuitry 300 may include at least mixer circuitry 302, suchas, for example, down-conversion mixer circuitry, amplifier circuitry306 and filter circuitry 308. The transmit signal path of the radio ICcircuitry 300 may include at least filter circuitry 312 and mixercircuitry 314, such as, for example, up-conversion mixer circuitry.Radio IC circuitry 300 may also include synthesizer circuitry 304 forsynthesizing a frequency 305 for use by the mixer circuitry 302 and themixer circuitry 314. The mixer circuitry 302 and/or 314 may each,according to some embodiments, be configured to provide directconversion functionality. The latter type of circuitry presents a muchsimpler architecture as compared with standard super-heterodyne mixercircuitries, and any flicker noise brought about by the same may bealleviated for example through the use of OFDM modulation. FIG. 3illustrates only a simplified version of a radio IC circuitry, and mayinclude, although not shown, embodiments where each of the depictedcircuitries may include more than one component. For instance, mixercircuitry 320 and/or 314 may each include one or more mixers, and filtercircuitries 308 and/or 312 may each include one or more filters, such asone or more BPFs and/or LPFs according to application needs. Forexample, when mixer circuitries are of the direct-conversion type, theymay each include two or more mixers.

In some embodiments, mixer circuitry 302 may be configured todown-convert RF signals 207 received from the FEM circuitry 104 (FIG. 1)based on the synthesized frequency 305 provided by synthesizer circuitry304. The amplifier circuitry 306 may be configured to amplify thedown-converted signals and the filter circuitry 308 may include a LPFconfigured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signals togenerate output baseband signals 307. Output baseband signals 307 may beprovided to the baseband processing circuitry 108 (FIG. 1) for furtherprocessing. In some embodiments, the output baseband signals 307 may bezero-frequency baseband signals, although this is not a requirement. Insome embodiments, mixer circuitry 302 may comprise passive mixers,although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 314 may be configured toup-convert input baseband signals 311 based on the synthesized frequency305 provided by the synthesizer circuitry 304 to generate RF outputsignals 209 for the FEM circuitry 104. The baseband signals 311 may beprovided by the baseband processing circuitry 108 and may be filtered byfilter circuitry 312. The filter circuitry 312 may include a LPF or aBPF, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in thisrespect.

In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 302 and the mixer circuitry 314may each include two or more mixers and may be arranged for quadraturedown-conversion and/or up-conversion respectively with the help ofsynthesizer 304. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 302 and themixer circuitry 314 may each include two or more mixers each configuredfor image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection). In someembodiments, the mixer circuitry 302 and the mixer circuitry 314 may bearranged for direct down-conversion and/or direct up-conversion,respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 302 and the mixercircuitry 314 may be configured for super-heterodyne operation, althoughthis is not a requirement.

Mixer circuitry 302 may comprise, according to one embodiment:quadrature passive mixers (e.g., for the in-phase (I) and quadraturephase (Q) paths). In such an embodiment, RF input signal 207 from FIG. 3may be down-converted to provide I and Q baseband output signals to besent to the baseband processor

Quadrature passive mixers may be driven by zero and ninety-degreetime-varying LO switching signals provided by a quadrature circuitrywhich may be configured to receive a LO frequency (f_(LO)) from a localoscillator or a synthesizer, such as LO frequency 305 of synthesizer 304(FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the LO frequency may be the carrierfrequency, while in other embodiments, the LO frequency may be afraction of the carrier frequency (e.g., one-half the carrier frequency,one-third the carrier frequency). In some embodiments, the zero andninety-degree time-varying switching signals may be generated by thesynthesizer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited inthis respect.

In some embodiments, the LO signals may differ in duty cycle (thepercentage of one period in which the LO signal is high) and/or offset(the difference between start points of the period). In someembodiments, the LO signals may have a 25% duty cycle and a 50% offset.In some embodiments, each branch of the mixer circuitry (e.g., thein-phase (I) and quadrature phase (Q) path) may operate at a 25% dutycycle, which may result in a significant reduction is power consumption.

The RF input signal 207 (FIG. 2) may comprise a balanced signal,although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.The I and Q baseband output signals may be provided to low-noseamplifier, such as amplifier circuitry 306 (FIG. 3) or to filtercircuitry 308 (FIG. 3).

In some embodiments, the output baseband signals 307 and the inputbaseband signals 311 may be analog baseband signals, although the scopeof the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some altemateembodiments, the output baseband signals 307 and the input basebandsignals 311 may be digital baseband signals. In these alternateembodiments, the radio IC circuitry may include analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry.

In some dual-mode embodiments, a separate radio IC circuitry may beprovided for processing signals for each spectrum, or for otherspectrums not mentioned here, although the scope of the embodiments isnot limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 304 may be a fractional-Nsynthesizer or a fractional N/N+1 synthesizer, although the scope of theembodiments is not limited in this respect as other types of frequencysynthesizers may be suitable. For example, synthesizer circuitry 304 maybe a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizercomprising a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider. According tosome embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 304 may include digitalsynthesizer circuitry. An advantage of using a digital synthesizercircuitry is that, although it may still include some analog components,its footprint may be scaled down much more than the footprint of ananalog synthesizer circuitry. In some embodiments, frequency input intosynthesizer circuitry 304 may be provided by a voltage controlledoscillator (VCO), although that is not a requirement. A divider controlinput may further be provided by either the baseband processingcircuitry 108 (FIG. 1) or the application processor 111 (FIG. 1)depending on the desired output frequency 305. In some embodiments, adivider control input (e.g., N) may be determined from a look-up table(e.g., within a Wi-Fi card) based on a channel number and a channelcenter frequency as determined or indicated by the application processor111.

In some embodiments, synthesizer circuitry 304 may be configured togenerate a carrier frequency as the output frequency 305, while in otherembodiments, the output frequency 305 may be a fraction of the carrierfrequency (e.g., one-half the carrier frequency, one-third the carrierfrequency). In some embodiments, the output frequency 305 may be a LOfrequency (f_(LO)).

FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of baseband processingcircuitry 400 in accordance with some embodiments. The basebandprocessing circuitry 400 is one example of circuitry that may besuitable for use as the baseband processing circuitry 108 (FIG. 1),although other circuitry configurations may also be suitable. Thebaseband processing circuitry 400 may include a receive basebandprocessor (RX BBP) 402 for processing receive baseband signals 309provided by the radio IC circuitry 106 (FIG. 1) and a transmit basebandprocessor (TX BBP) 404 for generating transmit baseband signals 311 forthe radio IC circuitry 106. The baseband processing circuitry 400 mayalso include control logic 406 for coordinating the operations of thebaseband processing circuitry 400.

In some embodiments (e.g., when analog baseband signals are exchangedbetween the baseband processing circuitry 400 and the radio IC circuitry106), the baseband processing circuitry 400 may include ADC 410 toconvert analog baseband signals received from the radio IC circuitry 106to digital baseband signals for processing by the RX BBP 402. In theseembodiments, the baseband processing circuitry 400 may also include DAC412 to convert digital baseband signals from the TX BBP 404 to analogbaseband signals.

In some embodiments that communicate OFDM signals or OFDMA signals, suchas through baseband processor 108A, the transmit baseband processor 404may be configured to generate OFDM or OFDMA signals as appropriate fortransmission by performing an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT). Thereceive baseband processor 402 may be configured to process receivedOFDM signals or OFDMA signals by performing an FFT. In some embodiments,the receive baseband processor 402 may be configured to detect thepresence of an OFDM signal or OFDMA signal by performing anautocorrelation, to detect a preamble, such as a short preamble, and byperforming a cross-correlation, to detect a long preamble. The preamblesmay be part of a predetermined frame structure for Wi-Fi communication.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the antennas 101 (FIG. 1)may each comprise one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas,including, for example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patchantennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas or other types of antennassuitable for transmission of RF signals. In some multiple-inputmultiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, the antennas may be effectivelyseparated to take advantage of spatial diversity and the differentchannel characteristics that may result. Antennas 101 may each include aset of phased-array antennas, although embodiments are not so limited.

Although the radio-architecture 100 is illustrated as having severalseparate functional elements, one or more of the functional elements maybe combined and may be implemented by combinations ofsoftware-configured elements, such as processing elements includingdigital signal processors (DSPs), and/or other hardware elements. Forexample, some elements may comprise one or more microprocessors, DSPs,field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) andcombinations of various hardware and logic circuitry for performing atleast the functions described herein. In some embodiments, thefunctional elements may refer to one or more processes operating on oneor more processing elements.

FIG. 5 illustrates a WLAN 500 in accordance with some embodiments. TheWLAN 500 may comprise a basis service set (BSS) that may include a HEaccess point (AP) 502, which may be an AP, a plurality ofhigh-efficiency wireless (e.g., IEEE 802.1 lax) (HE) stations 504, and aplurality of legacy (e.g., IEEE 802.11n/ac) devices 506.

The HE AP 502 may be an AP using the IEEE 802.11 to transmit andreceive. The HE AP 502 may be a base station. The HE AP 502 may useother communications protocols as well as the IEEE 802.11 protocol. TheIEEE 802.11 protocol may be IEEE 802.1 lax. The IEEE 802.11 protocol mayinclude using orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA),time division multiple access (TDMA), and/or code division multipleaccess (CDMA). The IEEE 802.11 protocol may include a multiple accesstechnique. For example, the IEEE 802.11 protocol may includespace-division multiple access (SDMA) and/or multiple-usermultiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO). There may be more than one HEAP 502 that is part of an extended service set (ESS). A controller (notillustrated) may store information that is common to the more than oneHE APs 502.

The legacy devices 506 may operate in accordance with one or more ofIEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/af/ah/aj/ay, or another legacy wirelesscommunication standard. The legacy devices 506 may be STAs or IEEE STAs.The HE STAs 504 may be wireless transmit and receive devices such ascellular telephone, portable electronic wireless communication devices,smart telephone, handheld wireless device, wireless glasses, wirelesswatch, wireless personal device, tablet, or another device that may betransmitting and receiving using the IEEE 802.11 protocol such as IEEE802.11ax or another wireless protocol. In some embodiments, the HE STAs504 may be termed high efficiency (HE) stations.

The HE AP 502 may communicate with legacy devices 506 in accordance withlegacy IEEE 802.11 communication techniques. In example embodiments, theHE AP 502 may also be configured to communicate with HE STAs 504 inaccordance with legacy IEEE 802.11 communication techniques.

In some embodiments, a HE frame may be configurable to have the samebandwidth as a channel. The HE frame may be a physical Layer ConvergenceProcedure (PLCP) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU). In some embodiments, theremay be different types of PPDUs that may have different fields anddifferent physical layers and/or different MAC layers.

The bandwidth of a channel may be 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz, 160 MHz,320 MHz contiguous bandwidths or an 80+80 MHz (160 MHz) non-contiguousbandwidth. In some embodiments, the bandwidth of a channel may be 1 MHz,1.25 MHz, 2.03 MHz, 2.5 MHz, 4.06 MHz, 5 MHz and 10 MHz, or acombination thereof or another bandwidth that is less or equal to theavailable bandwidth may also be used. In some embodiments, the bandwidthof the channels may be based on a number of active data subcarriers. Insome embodiments, the bandwidth of the channels is based on 26, 52, 106,242, 484, 996, or 2×996 active data subcarriers or tones that are spacedby 20 MHz. In some embodiments, the bandwidth of the channels is 256tones spaced by 20 MHz. In some embodiments, the channels are multipleof 26 tones or a multiple of 20 MHz. In some embodiments, a 20 MHzchannel may comprise 242 active data subcarriers or tones, which maydetermine the size of a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). An allocation of abandwidth or a number of tones or subcarriers may be termed a resourceunit (RU) allocation in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the 26-subcarrier RU and 52-subcarrier RU are usedin the 20 MHz, 40 MHz. 80 MHz, 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz OFDMA HE PPDUformats. In some embodiments, the 106-subcarrier RU is used in the 20MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz OFDMA and MU-MIMO HE PPDUformats. In some embodiments, the 242-subcarrier RU is used in the 40MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz OFDMA and MU-MIMO HE PPDU formats. Insome embodiments, the 484-subcarrier RU is used in the 80 MHz, 160 MHzand 80+80 MHz OFDMA and MU-MIMO HE PPDU formats. In some embodiments,the 996-subcarrier RU is used in the 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz OFDMA andMU-MIMO HE PPDU formats.

A HE frame may be configured for transmitting a number of spatialstreams, which may be in accordance with MU-MIMO and may be inaccordance with OFDMA. In other embodiments, the HE AP 502, HE STA 504,and/or legacy device 506 may also implement different technologies suchas code division multiple access (CDMA) 2000, CDMA 2000 IX, CDMA 2000Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000),Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), Interim Standard 856 (IS-856), Long TermEvolution (LTE), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), EnhancedData rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSM EDGE (GERAN). IEEE 802.16(i.e., Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)),BlueTooth®, or other technologies.

Some embodiments relate to HE communications. In accordance with someIEEE 802.11 embodiments, e.g, IEEE 802.1 lax embodiments, a HE AP 502may operate as a master station which may be arranged to contend for awireless medium (e.g., during a contention period) to receive exclusivecontrol of the medium for an HE control period. In some embodiments, theHE control period may be termed a transmission opportunity (TXOP). TheHE AP 502 may transmit a HE master-sync transmission, which may be atrigger frame or HE control and schedule transmission, at the beginningof the HE control period. The HE AP 502 may transmit a time duration ofthe TXOP and sub-channel information. During the HE control period. HESTAs 504 may communicate with the HE AP 502 in accordance with anon-contention based multiple access technique such as OFDMA or MU-MIMO.This is unlike conventional WLAN communications in which devicescommunicate in accordance with a contention-based communicationtechnique, rather than a multiple access technique. During the HEcontrol period, the HE AP 502 may communicate with HE stations 504 usingone or more HE frames. During the HE control period, the HE STAs 504 mayoperate on a sub-channel smaller than the operating range of the HE AP502. During the HE control period, legacy stations refrain fromcommunicating. The legacy stations may need to receive the communicationfrom the HE AP 502 to defer from communicating.

In accordance with some embodiments, during the TXOP the HE STAs 504 maycontend for the wireless medium with the legacy devices 506 beingexcluded from contending for the wireless medium during the master-synctransmission. In some embodiments, the trigger frame may indicate anuplink (UL) UL-MU-MIMO and/or UL OFDMA TXOP. In some embodiments, thetrigger frame may include a DL UL-MU-MIMO and/or DL OFDMA with aschedule indicated in a preamble portion of trigger frame.

In some embodiments, the multiple-access technique used during the HETXOP may be a scheduled OFDMA technique, although this is not arequirement. In some embodiments, the multiple access technique may be atime-division multiple access (TDMA) technique or a frequency divisionmultiple access (FDMA) technique. In some embodiments, the multipleaccess technique may be a space-division multiple access (SDMA)technique. In some embodiments, the multiple access technique may be aCode division multiple access (CDMA).

The HE AP 502 may also communicate with legacy stations 506 and/or HEstations 504 in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.11 communicationtechniques. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 may also be configurableto communicate with HE stations 504 outside the HE TXOP in accordancewith legacy IEEE 802.11 communication techniques, although this is not arequirement.

In some embodiments the HE station 504 may be a “group owner” (GO) forpeer-to-peer modes of operation. A wireless device may be a HE station502 or a HE AP 502.

In some embodiments, the HE station 504 and/or HE AP 502 may beconfigured to operate in accordance with IEEE 802.1 lmc. In exampleembodiments, the radio architecture of FIG. 1 is configured to implementone or more of the functions or methods of HE station 504 and/or HE AP502. In example embodiments, the front-end module circuitry of FIG. 2 isconfigured to implement one or more of the functions or methodsperformed by HE station 504 and/or HE AP 502. In example embodiments,the radio IC circuitry of FIG. 3 is configured to implement one or moreof the functions or methods performed by HE station 504 and/or HE AP502. In example embodiments, the base-band processing circuitry of FIG.4 is configured to implement one or more of the functions or methodsperformed by HE station 504 and/or the HE AP 502.

In example embodiments, HE stations 504, HE AP 502, an apparatus of theHE stations 504, and/or an apparatus of the HE AP 502 may include one ormore of the following: the radio architecture of FIG. 1, the front-endmodule circuitry of FIG. 2, the radio IC circuitry of FIG. 3, and/or thebase-band processing circuitry of FIG. 4.

In example embodiments, the radio architecture of FIG. 1, the front-endmodule circuitry of FIG. 2, the radio IC circuitry of FIG. 3, and/or thebase-band processing circuitry of FIG. 4 may be configured to performthe methods and operations/functions herein described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 1-20.

In example embodiments, the HE station 504 and/or the HE AP 502 areconfigured to perform the methods and operations/functions describedherein in conjunction with FIGS. 1-20. In example embodiments, anapparatus of the HE station 504 and/or an apparatus of the HE AP 502 areconfigured to perform the methods and functions described herein inconjunction with FIGS. 1-20. The term Wi-Fi may refer to one or more ofthe IEEE 802.11 communication standards. AP and STA may refer to HEaccess point 502 and/or HE station 504 as well as legacy devices 506.

In some embodiments, a HE AP STA may refer to a HE AP 502 and a HE STAs504 that is operating a HE APs 502. In some embodiments, when an HE STA504 is not operating as a HE AP, it may be referred to as a HE non-APSTA or HE non-AP. In some embodiments, HE STA 504 may be referred to aseither a HE AP STA or a HE non-AP.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine 600 upon whichany one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies) discussed hereinmay perform. In alternative embodiments, the machine 600 may operate asa standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to othermachines. In a networked deployment, the machine 600 may operate in thecapacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-clientnetwork environments. In an example, the machine 600 may act as a peermachine in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) networkenvironment. The machine 600 may be a HE AP 502, HE station 504,personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a portable communications device, a mobiletelephone, a smart phone, a web appliance, a network router, switch orbridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further,while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein, such as cloudcomputing, software as a service (SaaS), other computer clusterconfigurations.

Machine (e.g., computer system) 600 may include a hardware processor 602(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit(GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a mainmemory 604 and a static memory 606, some or all of which may communicatewith each other via an interlink (e.g., bus) 608.

Specific examples of main memory 604 include Random Access Memory (RAM),and semiconductor memory devices, which may include, in someembodiments, storage locations in semiconductors such as registers.Specific examples of static memory 606 include non-volatile memory, suchas semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Electrically ProgrammableRead-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such asinternal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; RAM; andCD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

The machine 600 may further include a display device 610, an inputdevice 612 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigationdevice 614 (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the display device 610, inputdevice 612 and UI navigation device 614 may be a touch screen display.The machine 600 may additionally include a mass storage (e.g., driveunit) 616, a signal generation device 618 (e.g., a speaker), a networkinterface device 620, and one or more sensors 621, such as a globalpositioning system (GPS) sensor, compass, accelerometer, or othersensor. The machine 600 may include an output controller 628, such as aserial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired orwireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.)connection to communicate or control one or more peripheral devices(e.g., a printer, card reader, etc.). In some embodiments, the processor602 and/or instructions 624 may comprise processing circuitry and/ortransceiver circuitry.

The storage device 616 may include a machine readable medium 622 onwhich is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions 624(e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of thetechniques or functions described herein. The instructions 624 may alsoreside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 604,within static memory 606, or within the hardware processor 602 duringexecution thereof by the machine 600. In an example, one or anycombination of the hardware processor 602, the main memory 604, thestatic memory 606, or the storage device 616 may constitute machinereadable media.

Specific examples of machine readable media may include: non-volatilememory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., EPROM or EEPROM) andflash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks andremovable disks; magneto-optical disks; RAM; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROMdisks.

While the machine readable medium 622 is illustrated as a single medium,the term “machine readable medium” may include a single medium ormultiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/orassociated caches and servers) configured to store the one or moreinstructions 624.

An apparatus of the machine 600 may be one or more of a hardwareprocessor 602 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combinationthereof), a main memory 604 and a static memory 606, sensors 621,network interface device 620, antennas 660, a display device 610, aninput device 612, a UI navigation device 614, a mass storage 616,instructions 624, a signal generation device 618, and an outputcontroller 628. The apparatus may be configured to perform one or moreof the methods and/or operations disclosed herein. The apparatus may beintended as a component of the machine 600 to perform one or more of themethods and/or operations disclosed herein, and/or to perform a portionof one or more of the methods and/or operations disclosed herein. Insome embodiments, the apparatus may include a pin or other means toreceive power. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include powerconditioning hardware.

The term “machine readable medium” may include any medium that iscapable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution bythe machine 600 and that cause the machine 600 to perform any one ormore of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated withsuch instructions. Non-limiting machine readable medium examples mayinclude solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media. Specificexamples of machine readable media may include: non-volatile memory,such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Electrically ProgrammableRead-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such asinternal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; RandomAccess Memory (RAM); and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. In some examples,machine readable media may include non-transitory machine readablemedia. In some examples, machine readable media may include machinereadable media that is not a transitory propagating signal.

The instructions 624 may further be transmitted or received over acommunications network 626 using a transmission medium via the networkinterface device 620 utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols(e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP), transmission controlprotocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transferprotocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communication networks may include alocal area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet datanetwork (e.g., the Internet), mobile telephone networks (e.g., cellularnetworks), Plain Old Telephone (POTS) networks, and wireless datanetworks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.11 family of standards known as Wi-Fit, IEEE 802.16 family ofstandards known as WiMax®), IEEE 802.15.4 family of standards, a LongTerm Evolution (LTE) family of standards, a Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) family of standards, peer-to-peer (P2P)networks, among others.

In an example, the network interface device 620 may include one or morephysical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or moreantennas to connect to the communications network 626. In an example,the network interface device 620 may include one or more antennas 660 towirelessly communicate using at least one of single-inputmultiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), ormultiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. In some examples, thenetwork interface device 620 may wirelessly communicate using MultipleUser MIMO techniques. The term “transmission medium” shall be taken toinclude any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding orcarrying instructions for execution by the machine 600, and includesdigital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium tofacilitate communication of such software.

Examples, as described herein, may include, or may operate on, logic ora number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules are tangibleentities (e.g., hardware) capable of performing specified operations andmay be configured or arranged in a certain manner. In an example,circuits may be arranged (e.g., internally or with respect to externalentities such as other circuits) in a specified manner as a module. Inan example, the whole or part of one or more computer systems (e.g., astandalone, client or server computer system) or one or more hardwareprocessors may be configured by firmware or software (e.g.,instructions, an application portion, or an application) as a modulethat operates to perform specified operations. In an example, thesoftware may reside on a machine readable medium. In an example, thesoftware, when executed by the underlying hardware of the module, causesthe hardware to perform the specified operations.

Accordingly, the term “module” is understood to encompass a tangibleentity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, specificallyconfigured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily (e.g., transitorily)configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a specified manner or toperform part or all of any operation described herein. Consideringexamples in which modules are temporarily configured, each of themodules need not be instantiated at any one moment in time. For example,where the modules comprise a general-purpose hardware processorconfigured using software, the general-purpose hardware processor may beconfigured as respective different modules at different times. Softwaremay accordingly configure a hardware processor, for example, toconstitute a particular module at one instance of time and to constitutea different module at a different instance of time.

Some embodiments may be implemented fully or partially in softwareand/or firmware. This software and/or firmware may take the form ofinstructions contained in or on a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium. Those instructions may then be read and executed by oneor more processors to enable performance of the operations describedherein. The instructions may be in any suitable form, such as but notlimited to source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executablecode, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Such a computer-readablemedium may include any tangible non-transitory medium for storinginformation in a form readable by one or more computers, such as but notlimited to read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magneticdisk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory, etc.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless device 700upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies oroperations) discussed herein may perform. The wireless device 700 may bea HE device. The wireless device 700 may be a HE STA 504 and/or HE AP502 (e.g., FIG. 5). A HE STA 504 and/or HE AP 502 may include some orall of the components shown in FIGS. 1-7. The wireless device 700 may bean example machine 600 as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 6.

The wireless device 700 may include processing circuitry 708. Theprocessing circuitry 708 may include a transceiver 702, physical layercircuitry (PHY circuitry) 704, and MAC layer circuitry (MAC circuitry)706, one or more of which may enable transmission and reception ofsignals to and from other wireless devices 700 (e.g., HE AP 502, HE STA504, and/or legacy devices 506) using one or more antennas 712. As anexample, the PHY circuitry 704 may perform various encoding and decodingfunctions that may include formation of baseband signals fortransmission and decoding of received signals. As another example, thetransceiver 702 may perform various transmission and reception functionssuch as conversion of signals between a baseband range and a RadioFrequency (RF) range.

Accordingly, the PHY circuitry 704 and the transceiver 702 may beseparate components or may be part of a combined component, e.g.,processing circuitry 708. In addition, some of the describedfunctionality related to transmission and reception of signals may beperformed by a combination that may include one, any or all of the PHYcircuitry 704 the transceiver 702, MAC circuitry 706, memory 710, andother components or layers. The MAC circuitry 706 may control access tothe wireless medium. The wireless device 700 may also include memory 710arranged to perform the operations described herein, e.g., some of theoperations described herein may be performed by instructions stored inthe memory 710.

The antennas 712 (some embodiments may include only one antenna) maycomprise one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas, including,for example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patch antennas, loopantennas, microstrip antennas or other types of antennas suitable fortransmission of RF signals. In some multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) embodiments, the antennas 712 may be effectively separated totake advantage of spatial diversity and the different channelcharacteristics that may result.

One or more of the memory 710, the transceiver 702, the PHY circuitry704, the MAC circuitry 706, the antennas 712, and/or the processingcircuitry 708 may be coupled with one another. Moreover, although memory710, the transceiver 702, the PHY circuitry 704, the MAC circuitry 706,the antennas 712 are illustrated as separate components, one or more ofmemory 710, the transceiver 702, the PHY circuitry 704, the MACcircuitry 706, the antennas 712 may be integrated in an electronicpackage or chip.

In some embodiments, the wireless device 700 may be a mobile device asdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the wirelessdevice 700 may be configured to operate in accordance with one or morewireless communication standards as described herein (e.g., as describedin conjunction with FIGS. 1-6, IEEE 802.11). In some embodiments, thewireless device 700 may include one or more of the components asdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 6 (e.g., display device 610, inputdevice 612, etc.) Although the wireless device 700 is illustrated ashaving several separate functional elements, one or more of thefunctional elements may be combined and may be implemented bycombinations of software-configured elements, such as processingelements including digital signal processors (DSPs), and/or otherhardware elements. For example, some elements may comprise one or moremicroprocessors. DSPs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), radio-frequencyintegrated circuits (RFICs) and combinations of various hardware andlogic circuitry for performing at least the functions described herein.In some embodiments, the functional elements may refer to one or moreprocesses operating on one or more processing elements.

In some embodiments, an apparatus of or used by the wireless device 700may include various components of the wireless device 700 as shown inFIG. 7 and/or components from FIGS. 1-6. Accordingly, techniques andoperations described herein that refer to the wireless device 700 may beapplicable to an apparatus for a wireless device 700 (e.g., HE AP 502and/or HE STA 504), in accordance with some embodiments. In someembodiments, the wireless device 700 is configured to decode and/orencode signals, packets, and/or frames as described herein, e.g., PPDUs.

In some embodiments, the MAC circuitry 706 may be arranged to contendfor a wireless medium during a contention period to receive control ofthe medium for a HE TXOP and encode or decode an HE PPDU. In someembodiments, the MAC circuitry 706 may be arranged to contend for thewireless medium based on channel contention settings, a transmittingpower level, and a clear channel assessment level (e.g., an energydetect level).

The PHY circuitry 704 may be arranged to transmit signals in accordancewith one or more communication standards described herein. For example,the PHY circuitry 704 may be configured to transmit a HE PPDU. The PHYcircuitry 704 may include circuitry for modulation/demodulation,upconversion/downconversion, filtering, amplification, etc. In someembodiments, the processing circuitry 708 may include one or moreprocessors. The processing circuitry 708 may be configured to performfunctions based on instructions being stored in a RAM or ROM, or basedon special purpose circuitry. The processing circuitry 708 may include aprocessor such as a general purpose processor or special purposeprocessor. The processing circuitry 708 may implement one or morefunctions associated with antennas 712, the transceiver 702, the PHYcircuitry 704, the MAC circuitry 706, and/or the memory 710. In someembodiments, the processing circuitry 708 may be configured to performone or more of the functions/operations and/or methods described herein.

In mmWave technology, communication between a station (e.g., the HEstations 504 of FIG. 5 or wireless device 700) and an access point(e.g., the HE AP 502 of FIG. 5 or wireless device 700) may useassociated effective wireless channels that are highly directionallydependent. To accommodate the directionality, beamforming techniques maybe utilized to radiate energy in a certain direction with certainbeamwidth to communicate between two devices. The directed propagationconcentrates transmitted energy toward a target device in order tocompensate for significant energy loss in the channel between the twocommunicating devices. Using directed transmission may extend the rangeof the millimeter-wave communication versus utilizing the sametransmitted energy in omni-directional propagation.

FIG. 8 illustrates resource units (RUs) 808 for short feedback inaccordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 8 is resourceblock (RB) table 851, tone table 850, and frequency 814. The frequency814 may be 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or another value. RB table851 includes predetermined resource unit (P-RUs) 802, spatial stream(SS) 804, and RBs 812. The RB table 851 is divided into eighteen P-RUs802, P-RU1 through P-RU18. Each of the P-RUs 802 is a subchannel ornumber of tones of frequency 814. For example, each P-RU 802 may have abandwidth of approximately 2 MHz (e.g., 2.03125) with 26 tones as partof a 20 MHz channel. In some embodiments, for a 20 MHz frequency 814,each P-RU 802 is 12 tones, 18 tones, or another number of tones lessthan 242 tones (or a number of tones of the frequency 814). In someembodiments, each RB 812 may include a predetermined number of tones(which may or may not be contiguous), e.g., a predetermined number oftones between one (1) and fifty-two (52).

Each P-RU 802 may include a number of SSs 804. As illustrated, two SSs804, SS1 and SS2. The RBs 812 are numbered sequentially based on theP-RUs 802 and the SSs 804. There are 36 RBs 812 in this illustrationwith each RB 812 being 12 tones and being one of two SSs 804. The RBs812 may each be part of an HE long-training field (LTFXHE-LTF). The RBs812 may indicate a portion of the HE-LTF. In some embodiments, the RBs812 may be non-contiguous tones. In some embodiments, there may beunused tones, e.g., between the RBs 812, and here may be tones used forother purposes than RBs 812, e.g., as DC tones or beacon tones. In someembodiments, the RBs 812 may be specific to one symbol 810 and changefor the next symbol 810.

The tone table 850 may use a P matrix table as an orthogonal code. Thetone table 850 includes RUs 808 and symbols 810. The symbols 810 mayindicate symbols 810 in time, e.g., symbol 810.1 may be transmittedfirst, and then symbol 810.2, etc. The symbols 810 may be HE-LTFs, e.g.,as part of a trigger-based (TB) PPDU (TB PPDU). The symbols 810 have aduration, e.g., 16 μs per symbol or another duration.

Each RU 808 may be one or more RBs 812, and be one or more symbols 810.The RB 812 may indicate a portion of the symbol 810, e.g., tones. Forexample, as illustrated, RU 808 is an RB 812 (e.g., 12 tones) with oneSS 804. The RU 808 may include indications of how a response is to beindicated (or encoded) on the RB 812 and symbol 810. For example, avalue of one as a response may be indicated by transmitting energy on afirst 6 tones of a RB 812 and not transmitting energy on a second 6tones. A value of zero as response may be indicated by not transmittingenergy on a first 6 tones of a RB 812 and transmitting energy on asecond 6 tones. The receiver (e.g., HE AP 502) may measure the energy ofboth sets of 6 tones to determine the response, e.g., the receiver maydetermine whether a measured energy of the first or second set of 6tones is a above a threshold to determine if the transmitter transmittedon the first or second set of 6 tones, respectively. In someembodiments, the different orthogonal codes may be used to transmitdifferent values of the response. In some embodiments, differentpatterns of transmitting energy on a tone may indicate differentresponses.

In some embodiments, a RU 808 includes a number of tones on which totransmit the response to the feedback type, where the number of tonesincludes a first set of tones and a second set of tones, and where atransmission on the first set of tones without a transmission on thesecond set of tones indicates a first response to the feedback type, andwhere transmitting a transmission on the second set of tones without atransmission on the first set of tones indicates a second response tothe feedback type.

Each RU 808 of the tone table 850 corresponds to a RB 812 for each ofthe two symbols 810. For example, RBI with symbols 810.1 and 810.2 andcorresponds to RU 808.1. The RB 812 indicates the tones and the SS 804.In some embodiments, RUs 808 are assigned to HE stations 504 in a nulldata packet (NDP) feedback report poll trigger frame, e.g., triggerframe 1214. In some embodiments, RUs 808 are assigned to HE stations 504in a NDP feedback report poll 1420, 1520, 1620. In some embodiments,each RU 808 is used to transmit one bit of information from a HE station504 to a HE AP 502. For example, for a HE station 504 to transmit a one(1) the HE station 504 may transmit the orthogonal code of the RU 808 toindicate one. In some embodiments, the HE station 504 may indicate azero (0) by not transmitting on the RU 808.

In some embodiments, a different number of SSs 804 may be used, e.g., anumber of SSs of one (1) to sixteen (16). In some embodiments, adifferent orthogonal code may be used, e.g., a different row of the PMatrix or a different orthogonal code. In some embodiments, the codes toindicate responses (e.g., part of the RUs 808 may be less than onesymbol 810 duration). In some embodiments, a different number of symbols810 may be used, e.g., one symbol 810 to twelve symbols 810. In someembodiments, the symbols 810 may have a duration of four (4) μs each. Insome embodiments, the symbols 810 may have a different duration, e.g.,one (1) μs to sixteen (16) μs. The RBs 812 (e.g., tones) may be dividedby OFDMA and CDMA.

FIG. 9 illustrates a trigger frame 900 in accordance with someembodiments. The trigger frame 900 may include a frame control field902, a duration field 904, receive address (RA) field 906, transmitteraddress (TA) field 908, a common information field 910, user informationfields 912, padding field 914, and frame control sequence (FCS) field916.

The frame control field 902 may include information relating to the typeof the trigger frame 900. For example, the frame control field 902 mayinclude a protocol version that indicates a protocol version of a MACportion of the trigger frame 900. In some embodiments, the frame controlfield 902 is 2 octets. In some embodiments, the frame control field 906is a different number of octets.

The duration field 904 may be set to an estimated time for one or moreresponse frames to the trigger frame 900, which may include additionalframes from the transmitter of the trigger frame 900. The duration field904 may include information regarding how long wireless devices (e.g.,HE APs 502, HE stations 504, and/or legacy devices 506) not identifiedin the trigger frame 900 should set their network allocation vectors(not illustrated). The duration field 904 may include a duration of atransmission opportunity. In some embodiments, the duration field 904 is2 octets. In some embodiments, the duration field 904 is a differentnumber of octets.

The RA field 906 may be an address of the recipient HE station 504 orrecipient HE AP 502. If the trigger frame 900 is addressed to more thanone HE station 504 and/or HE AP 502, then the RA field 906 may be abroadcast address or multicast address. In some embodiments, the RAfield 906 is 6 octets. In some embodiments, the RA field 906 is adifferent number of octets.

The TA field 908 may be the address of the STA (e.g. HE AP 502 that istransmitting the trigger frame 900). In some embodiments, the TA field908 is the value of a BSS identification (ID)(BSSID)(not illustrated)wvhen the trigger frame 900 is addressed to HE stations 504 from atleast two different BSS.

The common information field 910 may include information that is commonto two or more the HE stations 504 the trigger frame 900 is for. Anexample common information field 910 is given in FIG. 10.

The user information field 912 may be one or more fields (e.g., 912.1through 912.N) that are particular for a STA (e.g., HE station 504and/or HE AP 502). In some embodiments, there are no user informationfields 912. In some embodiments, a user information field 912 mayprovide information for more than one HE station 504.

The padding field 914 may include one or more octets for padding. Thepadding field 914 may pad the trigger frame 900 so that a length of thetrigger frame 900 matches the number of bits required to end on aphysical-level symbol boundary. The number of octets of the paddingfield 914 may be variable to match the number of bits required to end ona physical-level symbol, or may be variable for other reasons.

The FCS field 916 may be a checksum appended to the trigger frame 900that may be for detecting corruption of the trigger frame 900. In someembodiments forward error correction information may be included in theFCS field 916. One or more of the fields of the trigger frame 900 maynot be present, in accordance with some embodiments. In someembodiments, one or more additional fields may be included in thetrigger frame 900. As disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 10, there maybe different types of trigger frames 900, e.g., a null data packet (NDP)feedback report poll trigger frame. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe fields of the trigger frame 900 may not be included. In someembodiments, the trigger frame 900 may include one or more additionalfields.

FIG. 10 illustrates a common information field 1000 in accordance withsome embodiments. The common information field 1000 may be the same orsimilar as common information field 910.

The common information field 1000 may include a trigger type field 1002,a length field 1004, a cascade information field 1006, a carrier sense(CS) required field 1008, a bandwidth (BW) field 1010, a guard interval(GI) and a long-training field (LTF) type field 1012, a MU-MIMO LTF modefield 1014, a number of HE-LTF symbols field 1016, space-time blockcoding (STBC) field 1018, a low-density parity check (LDPC) extrasymbols segment field 1020, AP transmit (TX) power field 1022, a packetextension field 1024, a spatial reuse field 1026, a Doppler field 1028,a HE-SIG-A reserved field 1030, a reserved field 1032, and a triggerdependent common information (INFO) field 1034. In some embodiments oneor more of the fields of the common information field 1000 may not bepresent. In some embodiments one or more additional fields may beincluded in the common information field 1000.

The trigger type field 1002 may indicate a type of trigger frame. Forexample, Table 1 indicates some trigger frame types, in accordance withsome embodiments.

TABLE 1 Trigger Frame Types Trigger Type Field 1002 Value Description 0Basic Trigger 1 Beamforming Report Poll 2 MU block acknowledgmentrequest (BAR) 3 MU request to send (RTS) 4 Buffer Status Report Poll(BSRP) 5 Groupcast With Retries (GCR) 6 Bandwidth Query Report Poll(BQRP) 7 Null data packet (NDP) Feedback Report Poll 8-15 Reserved

The length field 1004 may indicate the value of the L-SIG length fieldof a HE trigger-based PPDU that is the response to the trigger frame900, in accordance with some embodiments. The cascade information field1006 may indicate if a subsequent trigger frame follows the currenttrigger frame (e.g., 900), in accordance with some embodiments. The CSrequired field 1008 may indicate whether STAs identified in the userinformation fields 912 are to perform energy detect (ED) and check anetwork allocation vector (NAV) prior to transmitting, in accordancewith some embodiments.

The BW field 1010 indicates the bandwidth of a response frame inaccordance with some embodiments. The GI and a LTF type field 1012indicates the GI and HE-LTF type of the HE TB PPDU response to thetrigger frame (e.g., 900) in accordance with some embodiments.

The MU-MIMO LTF mode field 1014 indicates the LTF mode of the UL MU-MIMOHE TB PPDU response, in accordance with some embodiments. The number ofHE-LTF symbols field 1016 indicates the number of HE-LTF symbols presentin the HE TB PPDU that is in response to the trigger frame 900, inaccordance with some embodiments. The STBC field 1018 indicates thestatus of STBC encoding of the HE TB PPDU that is in response to thetrigger frame 900, in accordance with some embodiments.

The LDPC extra symbols segment field 1020 indicates the status of theLDPC extra symbol segment in accordance with some embodiments. The AP TXpower field 1022 indicates the combined average power per 20 MHzbandwidth referenced to the antenna connector in accordance with someembodiments. The packet extension field 1024 indicates the packetextension duration of the HE TB PPDU that is the response to the triggerframe 900.

The spatial reuse field 1026 indicates information related to whetherspatial reuse is permitted. For example, the spatial reuse field 1026indicates a value (20 MHz, 40 MHz. 80 MHz, 160 MHz) of the HE-SIG-Afield of the HE TB PPDU that is in response to the trigger frame 900.The Doppler field 1028 indicates a high Doppler mode of transmission.The HE-SIG-A reserved field 1030 indicates the values of the reservedbits in the HE-SIG-A2 subfield of the HE TB PPDU that is in response tothe trigger frame 900, in accordance with some embodiments. The reservedfield 1032 may be a reserved field for future use, in accordance withsome embodiments.

The trigger dependent common information field 1034 may be a commoninformation field 1034 for different trigger types 1002. Fields for theNDP feedback report poll trigger frame 1100 is example of triggerdependent common information fields 1034 for trigger frames of type NDPfeedback report poll. In some embodiments, the NDP feedback report polltrigger frames does not include the trigger dependent common informationfield 1034. In some embodiments, one or more of the fields of the commoninformation field 1000 are not present. In some embodiments, the commoninformation field 1000 includes one or more additional fields (notillustrated). In some embodiments, one or more of the fields may be adifferent number of bits.

FIG. 11 illustrates fields of a NDP feedback report poll trigger frame1100 in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 11 is astarting association identification (AID) field 1102, a feedback typefield 1104, a target received signal strength indication (RSSI) field1106, and an indication of number of spatial streams field 1108. In someembodiments, the fields of the NDP feedback report poll trigger frame1100 are fields of a trigger dependent common information field (e.g.,trigger dependent common information 1034) of a trigger frame 900 forthe NDP feedback report poll (e.g., a value of 7 for trigger frame type,which indicates NDP feedback report poll), in accordance with someembodiments.

In some embodiments, the fields of a NDP feedback report poll triggerframe 1600 are fields for a user information field 912 of a triggerframe 900 for NDP feedback report poll. In some embodiments, one or moreof the fields of the fields of the NDP feedback report poll triggerframe 1100 are not present. In some embodiments, one or more additionalfields are included in the fields of the NDP feedback report polltrigger frame 1100.

The starting AID field 1102 may indicate the first AID (or the first AIDplus or minus a constant) of a range of AIDs that are scheduled torespond to the trigger frame 900 of type NDP feedback report poll. Therange of AIDs and total number of AIDs (NAIDS) that are scheduled by thetrigger frame 900 may be determined based on PHY parameters such as oneor more of the following: BW 1010, indication of number of spatialstreams 1108, and number of users per set of tones (NbXnot illustrated).A HE station 504 is scheduled to respond to the trigger frame 900 oftype NDP feedback report poll if the AID of the HE station 504 is largerthan or equal to the value of the AID start field 1102 and lower than(plus or minus a constant) the value of the AID start field 1102 plusthe NAIDS, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, theHE station 504 is scheduled to respond to the trigger frame 900 of typeNDP feedback report poll based on the AID of the HE station 504, thevalue of the AID start field 1102 and the NAIDS.

The STA may determine its RU (e.g., RU 808) based on its relativeposition within the value of the starting AID field 1102 and the NAIDs.For example, if the value of staring AID field is 100 and the AID (notillustrated) of the HE station 504 AID is 105, then the HE station 504index may be 5 or 6. The HE station 504 can determine its RU (e.g., RU808) based on the HE station 504 index. A number of RUs 808 may be basedon the bandwidth 1010 and a number of spatial streams, e.g., in FIG. 8the bandwidth 1010 is 20 MHz and there are 36 RUs 808, but there wouldonly be 18 RUs 808 if only one spatial streams 804 were used (e.g., thevalue of indication of number of spatial streams was 1). The HE station504 may be configured to determine the number of RUs based on thebandwidth 1010 and a number of spatial streams. The HE station 504 maythen determine the HE station's 504 RU 808 based on its index or arelative position, in accordance with some embodiments.

The feedback type field 1104 may indicate a type of feedback for theresponse to the trigger frame 900. Table 2 is an example of feedbacktypes. A value of 0 of feedback type field 1104 may indicate that theresponse indicates whether the HE station 504 is requesting a resource.A HE station 504 may respond to the trigger frame 900 of type NDPfeedback report poll on a RU 808. The feedback type field 1104 mayinclude an indication of a feedback size (e.g., 1 or 2 bits), inaccordance with some embodiments. The feedback type field S1104 mayindicate that more than one type of feedback is being requested, e.g.,resource request and ranging request.

Table 1 indicates values of the feedback type field 1104. Values of 1-15of the feedback type field 1108 may be reserved for future use inaccordance with some embodiments.

TABLE 1 Feedback Types Value Description 0 Resource Request 1-15Reserved

The target RSSI field 1106 may indicate a target received signal powerof the NDP feedback report response (e.g., 1210) to the trigger frame900. In some embodiments, the value of the target RSSI field 1106 may bein dBs.

The indication of number of spatial streams 1108 may indicate a numberof spatial streams 804 that are to be used for the response, e.g., thatare used for RUs 808 in the response.

In some embodiments, the fields of a NDP feedback report poll triggerframe 1100 includes a RU allocation offset field, which may be an offsetfor RU allocations. For example, the HE station 504 may use the offsetto determine the RU 808 to use to respond to the NDP feedback reportpoll trigger frame (e.g., 1214). In some embodiments, the fields of aNDP feedback report poll trigger frame 1100 includes a feedback sizefield that may indicate a size for the response (e.g., 1210), e.g. 1 or2 bits. In some embodiments, the fields of a NDP feedback report polltrigger frame 1100 includes a number of users per set of tones field,which may indicate a number of users per a set of tones. For example,the number of users per set of tones field may indicate a number of user(e.g., RBs or RUs) per 20 MHz bandwidth, which the HE station 504 mayuse to determine the NAnms and the RU.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method 1200 of null data packet (NDP) feedbackreport poll in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 12is a frequency 1202, time 1204, transmitter/receiver 1206, transmissionopportunity (TXOP) 1208, responses 1210, and NDP feedback report polltrigger frame 1214.

The frequency 1214 may be a bandwidth, e.g., 20 MHz. The frequency 1214may be the same or similar as frequency 814. Time 1204 may indicate theprogression of time. Transmitter/receiver 1206 indicates the device thatis transmitting and/or receiving, e.g., HE stations 504 and HE AP 502.

The method 1200 begins at operation 1252 with the HE AP 502 contendingfor the wireless medium 1212. In operation 1252, the HE AP 502 acquiresaccess to the wireless medium.

The method 1200 continues at operation 1254 with the HE AP 502transmitting the trigger frame 1214. The trigger frame 1214 may be a NDPfeedback report poll trigger frame, e.g., a trigger frame 900 with avalue of the trigger type field 1002 of NDP feedback report poll triggerframe.

The trigger frame 1214 may include a schedule field 1216, a feedbacktype field 1218, and an indication of RU field 1220. The schedule field1216 may include one or more fields that enable the HE stations 504 todetermine if they are to respond to the trigger frame 1214. For example,as described in conjunction with FIG. 11, the starting AID field 1102,the AID of the HE station 504, and fields to determine NAIDS may besufficient for the HE station 504 determine if it is to respond to thetrigger frame 1214. The schedule field 1216 may indicate that the HEstation 504 is scheduled in different ways as described herein (e.g.,the trigger frame 1214 may include an address of the HE station 504 or agroup address that includes the HE station 504).

The feedback type field 1218 may be an indication of one or more of:feedback type, a feedback size, and/or a number of feedback types. Forexample, the feedback type field 1218 may be the same or similar asfeedback type 1104.

The method 1200 continues at operation 1256 with the HE stations 504waiting a duration before transmitting NDPs 1230. The duration may be ashort interframe space (SIFS).

The HE stations 504 may decode the trigger frame 1214 and determine ifthey are scheduled based on schedule field 1216. If the HE stations 504are scheduled, then the HE stations 504 may determine a response basedon the feedback type field 1218. For example, the HE stations 504 maydetermine a 1 bit response regarding whether they have data for UL tothe HE AP 502. e.g., a value of feedback type field 1104 of 1 asdescribed in conjunction with Table 1.

The method 1200 continues at operation 1258 with the HE stations 504encoding and transmitting a a NDP 1230 and response 1210 to the triggerframe 1214. The NDP 1230 and response 1210 may be a TB PPDUs with nodata portion. For example, a legacy short training field (L-STF), legacylong training field (L-LTF), a legacy signal field (L-SIG), a repeatedL-SIG (RL-SIG), a HE signal A field (HE-SIG-A), a HE short trainingfield (HE-STF), and then a HE-LTF with two symbols.

The NDPs 1230 may be the portion of the TB PPDU up to the HE-LTF. Insome embodiments, the NDPs 1230 include the HE-LTFs 1210. The responses1210 may be transmitted during the HE-LTF and be RUs 808 of the HE-LTF.For example, 1210.1 may be RU 808.2. HE station 504 may transmit energyon a first set of six tones and not transmit energy on a second set ofsix tones to indicate a 1 and similarly for indicating a 0 as describedin conjunction with FIG. 8.

The HE AP 502 may decode the responses 1210 and determine what theresponses 1210 indicate. For example, the HE AP 502 may measure theenergy on each set of six tones and if the energy is above a thresholdvalue determine that the HE station 504 transmitted energy on those sixtones. The HE stations 504 may indicate their responses 1210 indifferent ways including using orthogonal codes of transmitting energy(positive or negative values) as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 8.

The HE AP 502 may take action based on the responses 1210. For example,the HE AP 502 may encode a new trigger frame for a MU UL transmissionfor the HE stations 504 that indicate that they have UL data (or basedon an amount of data indicated) for the HE AP 502.

Method 1200 may be performed by an apparatus of a HE station 504, anapparatus of an HE AP 502, a HE station 504, or a HE AP 502. Method 1200may include one or more additional operations 1250. One or moreoperations 1250 of method 1200 may not be performed.

FIG. 13 illustrates an A-control field NDP feedback report poll 1300 inaccordance with some embodiments. The A-control field NDP feedbackreport poll 1300 includes one or more of the following fields control ID1302, RU allocation or tone set 1304, SS allocation 1304, target RSSI1308, feedback type 1310, feedback size 1312, BW 1314, and Nb HE-LTF1316. The A-control field NDP feedback report poll 1300 may be a unicastA-control field NDP feedback report poll.

The A-control field NDP feedback report poll 1300 may be an A-Controlsubfield in accordance with one or more communication standards, e.g.,IEEE 802.1 lax. The unicast A-control field NDP feedback report poll1300 may include the control ID 1302 and control information. Thecontrol information may be the rest of the other field (e.g., 1304through 1316). The control ID 1302 may identify the type of information.An A-control subfield may be included in downlink (DL) PPDUs in a MACportion where a MAC portion address (e.g., destination address)identifies the HE station 504.

The RU allocation or tone set field 1304 may be an offset for RUallocations. For example, the HE station 504 may use the offset todetermine the RU 808 to use to respond. The RU allocation or tone set1304 may indicate an RU 808, which may be based on the BW 1314 and/or SSallocation 1306.

The SS allocation field 1306 may indicate a P-matrix or one or more SSsfor the HE station 504 to use for the response. In some embodiments, theSS allocation field 1306 may indicate the number of SSs that are beingused by all HE stations 504 that are responding.

The target RSSI field 1308 may indicate a target received signal powerof the NDP feedback report response to the DL PPDU carmying theA-control field NDP feedback report poll 1300. In some embodiments, thevalue of the target RSSI field 1308 may be in dBs.

The feedback type field 1310 may indicate a type of feedback for theresponse. Table 2 is an example of feedback types. A value of 0 mayindicate that the response is a resource request where the HE station504 indicates either a size of UL data or whether UL RUs are beingrequested. A HE station 504 may respond on a RU 808. The feedback typefield 1310 and feedback size field 1312 may be combined into a singlefield, in accordance with some embodiments. For example, a combinedfeedback type field 1310 and feedback size field 1312 may have a valuethat indicates both a feedback type (e.g., Table 2) and a feedback size(e.g., Table 3). Values of 1-15 of the feedback type field 1310 may bereserved for future use in accordance with some embodiments.

TABLE 2 Feedback Types Value Description 0 Resource Request 1-15Reserved

In some embodiments, a value of 1 of feedback type field 1310 mayindicate a power save (PS) poll feedback type. In some embodiments, avalue of 2 of feedback type field 1310 may indicate a ranging requestpoll feedback type. In some embodiments, a value of 3 of feedback typefield 1310 may indicate a combined resource request and ranging requestwhich may have a two bit response. Different values may be used for thefeedback types and additional feedback types may be used. In someembodiments, each feedback type includes an associated number of bitsper feedback. For example, 1 bit for resource request, etc.

The feedback size field 1312 may indicate a number of bits of feedback.The responses for a feedback type may be different depending on a valueof the feedback size field 1312. The BW field 1314 may be the same orsimilar as BW field 1010. The Nb HE-LTF 1316 may indicate a number oftones per HE-LTF. For example, there may be 240 (or 242) tones perHE-LTF for a 20 MHz bandwidth.

In some embodiments, the unicast A-control field NDP feedback reportpoll 1300 includes a number of users (HE stations 504) per a set oftones. For example, the number of users per set of tones field mayindicate a number of user per 20 MHz bandwidth (e.g., in FIG. 8 thereare 18 users per set of tones.) The number of users per a set of tonesand a number of tones per user can be used to determine a location ofthe tones for an HE station 504 and whether the HE station 504 isscheduled for a response.

In some embodiments, the feedback size field 1312 is not included. Insome embodiments, the Nb HE-LTF field 1316 is not included. In someembodiments, the RU allocation or tone set field 1304 and SS allocationfield 1306 are combined into one field. In some embodiments, the BWfield 1314 is not included.

FIG. 14 illustrates a method 1400 of control field trigger for NDPfeedback report in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG.14 is a frequency 1402, time 1404, transmitter/receiver 1406, TXOP 1412,responses 1418, DL PPDU 1412, and operations 1450.

The frequency 1402 may be a bandwidth, e.g., 20 MHz. The frequency 1214may be the same or similar as frequency 814. Time 1404 may indicate theprogression of time. Transmitter/receiver 1406 indicates the device thatis transmitting and/or receiving, e.g., HE stations 504 and HE AP 502.

The HE stations 504 may include a MAC address 1423 and an AID 1425. TheAID 1425 may be assigned to the HE station 504 by the HE AP 502 duringassociation.

The method 1400 begins at operation 1452 with the HE AP 502 contendingfor the wireless medium 1414. The HE AP 502 acquires access to thewireless medium in operation 1452.

The method 1400 continues at operation 1454 with the HE AP 502transmitting a DL PPDU 1412. The DL PPDU 1412 may include portions 1422(e.g., MAC protocol data units, MPDUs) that are addressed (e.g.,destination addresses 1421) to individual HE stations 504. For example,destination address 1421.1 may be a MAC address 1423.1 of HE station504.1. As illustrated, the DL PPDU 1412 includes a portion 1422.1addressed to STA1 (destination address 1421.1 having a value of the MACaddress 1423.1 of HE station 504.1), a portion 1422.2 addressed to STA2(destination address 1421.2 having a value of the MAC address 1423.2 ofHE station 504.2), and a portion 1422.3 addressed to STA3 (destinationaddress 1421.3 having a value of the MAC address 1423.3 of HE station504.3). In some embodiments, the destination address 1421.3 may be amulti-cast or broadcast address that includes the MAC address of HEstation 504.1. The portions 1422 may be MPDUs that include addresses tothe respective HE stations 504. The portion 1422.1 and portion 1422.2may include information for NDP feedback report poll 1420, e.g., anA-control field NDP feedback report poll. For example, the informationfor the NDP feedback report poll 1420.1, 1420.2 may comprise anA-control field NDP feedback report poll 1300 as disclosed inconjunction with FIG. 13. The HE stations 504 may determine if they areschedule based on the MAC address 1421.

The method 1400 continues at operation 1456 with the HE stations 504waiting a duration, e.g., SIFS, before transmitting. HE station 504.1and HE station 504.2 decode the DL PPDU 1412 and determine that theycontain portions 1422 (e.g., MPDUs) that are addressed to each of them.HE station 504.1 and HE station 504.2 then decode the information forNDP feedback report poll 1420 and determine that they are to respondafter a SIFS duration. HE station 504.1 and HE station 504.2 maydetermine an RU allocation to transmit a NDP feedback response 1418 anddetermine the feedback type (e.g., based on a value of feedback typefield 1310, and, in some embodiments the value of the feedback sizefield 1312) based on the information for NDP feedback report poll 1420and based on the portions (e.g., MPDU) being addressed to the HE station504.1 and HE station 504.2.

The method 1400 continues at operation 1458 with HE station 504.1 and HEstation 504.2 transmitting NDP feedback response 1418.1 and NDP feedbackresponse 1418.2, respectively. The NDP feedback response 1418 may be thesame or similar as NDP 1230 and response 1210. The NDP feedbackresponses 1418 may be transmitted on an RU 808 as disclosed inconjunction with FIG. 8. The NDP feedback responses 1418 may be NDP TBPPDUs with the response being transmitted on a HE-LTF portion of the NDPTB PPDU, e.g., as disclosed in conjunction with FIGS. 8 and 12. HEstation 504.3 may not transmit as it did not receive the information forNDP feedback report poll 1420. HE station 504.3 may have not received anindication to transmit and the DL PPDU 1412 may have had a duration(e.g., 904) that indicates a length of a TXOP 1412 or a duration for HEstation 504.3 to defer before trying to transmit.

Method 1400 may be performed by an apparatus of a HE station 504, anapparatus of an HE AP 502, a HE station 504, or a HE AP 502. Method 1400may include one or more additional operations 1450. One or more ofoperations 1450 of method 1400 may not be performed.

FIG. 15 illustrates a method 1500 of control field trigger for NDPfeedback report in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG.15 is a frequency 1502, time 1504, transmitter/receiver 1506, TXOP 1512,responses 1518, DL PPDU 1512, and operations 1550.

The frequency 1502 may be a bandwidth, e.g., 20 MHz. The frequency 1514may be the same or similar as frequency 814. Time 1504 may indicate theprogression of time. Transmitter/receiver 1506 indicates the device thatis transmitting and/or receiving, e.g., HE stations 504 and HE AP 502.

The HE stations 504 may include a MAC address 1523 and an AID 1525. TheAID 1525 may be assigned to the HE station 504 by the HE AP 502 duringassociation.

The method 1500 begins at operation 1552 with the HE AP 502 contendingfor the wireless medium 1513. The HE AP 502 acquires access to thewireless medium during operation 1552.

The method 1500 continues at operation 1554 with the HE AP 502transmitting a DL PPDU 1512. The DL PPDU 1512 may include portions 1522(e.g., MPDU). The portions 1522 may each include a destination address1521. The destination address 1521 may be a MAC address of the intendedrecipient of the portion 1522. As illustrated, the DL PPDU 1512 includesa portion 1522.1 that has a destination address 1521.1 with a value thatis a broadcast address, and a portion 1522.2 that has a destinationaddress 1521.2 with a value of the MAC address 1523.3 of STA3 (HEstation 504.3). The portion 1522.1 includes information for NDP feedbackreport poll 1520, e.g., an A-control field NDP feedback report poll. Forexample, portion 1522.1 may be a broadcast A-control field NDP feedbackreport poll. When HE stations 504 decode the DL PPDU 1512, they may thendecode the portions 1522.

A HE station 504 may determine whether the portions 1522 are addressedto the HE station 504. In the case of the portion 1522.1, a HE station504 may first determine that it is a broadcast MPDU and then determinethat it includes information for NDP feedback report poll 1520. The HEstation 504 may then determine if the information for NDP feedbackreport poll 1520 indicates that the HE station 504 is scheduled by theinformation for NDP feedback report poll 1520. The information for NDPfeedback report poll 1520 may be the same or similar as fields of a NDPfeedback report poll trigger frame 1100. For example, the HE station 504may determine if it is scheduled based on the starting AID 1102 (FIG.11) and on AID 1525 of the HE station 504, as disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the information for NDP feedback report poll 1520may include one or more fields of a unicast A-control field NDP feedbackreport poll 1300 as well as one or more fields of fields of a NDPfeedback report poll trigger frame 1100. The information for NDPfeedback report poll 1520 needs information so that the HE station 504can determine if it is scheduled, determine the type of responserequested, and determine which RU (e.g., 808) to transmit the response.In some embodiments, the information for NDP feedback report poll 1520includes one or more of the fields from a unicast A-control field NDPfeedback report poll 1300, e.g., it may include one or more of thefields plus a starting AID field 1102.

The method 1500 continues at operation 1556 with the HE stations 504waiting a duration, e.g., SIFS, before transmitting. HE station 504.1and HE station 504.2 decode the DL PPDU 1512 and determine that theycontain portion 1522.1 (e.g., MPDUs) that includes a broadcast address.HE station 504.1 and HE station 504.2 then determine if they arescheduled by the information for NDP feedback report poll 1520 (e.g., asdisclosed in conjunction with FIG. 12). HE station 504.1 and HE station504.2 then determine the type of NDP feedback response 1518 requested,e.g., as disclosed in conjunction with FIGS. 12 and 14. HE station 504.1and HE station 504.2 then determine an RU to transmit the NDP feedbackresponse 1518, e.g., as disclosed in conjunction with FIGS. 12 and 14.

HE station 504.3 determines that portion 1521.2 (e.g., MPDU) isaddressed to HE station 504.3. For example, HE station 504.3 maydetermine that destination address 1521.2 is a value of MAC address1525.3 of HE station 504.3. HE station 504.3 decodes portion 1522, but,in accordance with some embodiments, does not transmit in operation 1558because the portion 1522.2 does not indicate that HE station 504.3should transmit.

The method 1500 continues at operation 1558 with HE station 504.1 and HEstation 504.2 transmitting NDP feedback response 1518.1 and NDP feedbackresponse 1518.2, respectively. The NDP feedback response 1518 may be thesame or similar as NDP feedback response 1418, and/or NDP 1230 andresponse 1210. The NDP feedback responses 1518 may be transmitted on anRU 808 as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 8. The NDP feedbackresponses 1518 may be NDP TB PPDUs with the response being transmittedon a HE-LTF portion of the NDP TB PPDU, e.g., as disclosed inconjunction with FIGS. 12 and 14. HE station 504.3 may not transmit asit did not receive the information for NDP feedback report poll 1520. HEstation 504.3 may have not have received an indication to transmit andthe DL PPDU 1512 may have a duration (e.g., 904) that indicates a lengthof a TXOP 1512 or a duration for HE station 504.3 to defer before tryingto transmit.

Method 1500 may be performed by an apparatus of a HE station 504, anapparatus of an HE AP 502, a HE station 504, or a HE AP 502. Method 1500may include one or more additional operations 1550. One or more ofoperations 1550 of method 1500 may not be performed.

FIG. 16 illustrates a method 1600 of control field trigger for NDPfeedback report in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG.16 is a frequency 1602, time 1604, transmitter/receiver 1606, TXOP 1608,responses 1618, DL PPDU 1612, and operations 1650.

The frequency 1602 may be a bandwidth, e.g., 20 MHz. The frequency 1614may be the same or similar as frequency 814. Time 1604 may indicate theprogression of time. Transmitter/receiver 1606 indicates the device thatis transmitting and/or receiving, e.g., HE stations 504 and HE AP 502.

The HE stations 504 may include a MAC address 1623 and an AID 1625. TheAID 1625 may be assigned to the HE station 504 by the HE AP 502 duringassociation.

The method 1600 begins at operation 1652 with the HE AP 502 contendingfor the wireless medium 1613. The HE AP 502 acquires access to thewireless medium during operation 1652.

The method 1600 continues at operation 1654 with the HE AP 502transmitting a DL PPDU 1612. The DL PPDU 1612 may include portions 1622(e.g., MAC protocol data unit, MPDU). Portion 1622.1 may include adestination address 1621. As illustrated, the DL PPDU 1612 includes aportion 1622.1 that has a destination address 1621.1 with a value of amulti-cast address (to MAC address 1623.1 of HE station 504.1 and MACaddress 1623.2 of HE station 504.2) and a portion 1622.2 withdestination address (unicast) of MAC address of HE station 504.3 (STA3).The portions 1622 may be MPDUs that include addresses (e.g., unicast toindividual HE stations 504, group addresses, or broadcast addresses).The portion 1622.1 includes information for NDP feedback report poll1620, e.g., an A-control field NDP feedback report poll.

For example, portion 1622.1 may be a MPDU that includes a A-controlfield NDP feedback report poll. When HE stations 504 decode the DL PPDU1612 they may then decode the portions 1622. A HE station 504 maydetermine whether the portions 1622 are addressed to the HE station 504.In the case of the portion 1622.1, a HE station 504 may first determinethat it is a multi-cast MPDU and then determine whether the address ofthe HE station 504 is included in the multi-cast address. In someembodiments, the HE station 504 may then determine if the informationfor NDP feedback report poll 1620 indicates that the HE station 504 isscheduled by the information for NDP feedback report poll 1620. In someembodiments, the HE station 504 is scheduled if the multi-cast address(e.g., the value of destination address 1621.1) indicates the address ofthe HE station 504 is part of the multi-cast address.

The information for NDP feedback report poll 1620 may be the same orsimilar as fields of a NDP feedback report poll trigger frame 1100. Forexample, the HE station 504 may determine if it is scheduled based onthe starting AID 1102 as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, theinformation for NDP feedback report poll 1620 may include one or morefields of an A-control field NDP feedback report poll 1300 as well asone or more fields of fields of a NDP feedback report poll trigger frame1100. The information for NDP feedback report poll 1620 needsinformation so an HE station 504 can determine the type of responserequested and determine which RU (e.g., 808) to transmit the response.In some embodiments, the information for NDP feedback report pollincludes one or more of the fields from an A-control field NDP feedbackreport poll 1300. In some embodiments, the information for NDP feedbackreport poll 1620 includes information (e.g., starting AID 1102) so thatthe HE station 504 may determine if it is scheduled.

The method 1600 continues at operation 1656 with the HE stations 504waiting a duration, e.g., SIFS, before transmitting. HE station 504.1and HE station 504.2 decode the DL PPDU 1612 and determine that theycontain portion 1622.1 (e.g., MPDUs) that is a multi-cast address. HEstation 504.1 and HE station 504.2 then determine that they are schedulebased on their addresses (e.g., MAC addresses 1623.1, 1623.2) beingincluded in the multi-cast address. In some embodiments, HE station504.1 and HE station 504.2 may first determine their addresses areincluded in the multi-cast address and then determine if they arescheduled based on the information for NDP feedback report poll 1620(e.g., starting AID 1102 as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 12). HEstation 504.1 and HE station 504.2 then determine the type of NDPfeedback response 1618 requested, e.g., as disclosed in conjunction withFIGS. 12, 14, and 15. HE station 504.1 and HE station 504.2 thendetermine an RU to transmit the NDP feedback response 1618, e.g., asdisclosed in conjunction with FIGS. 12, 14 and 15.

HE station 504.3 determines that portion 1622.2 (e.g., MPDU) isaddressed to HE station 504.3. HE station 504.3 decodes portion 1622,but, in accordance with some embodiments, does not transmit in operation1658 because the portion 1622.2 does not indicate that HE station 504.3should transmit.

The method 1600 continues at operation 1658 with HE station 504.1 and HEstation 504.2 transmitting NDP feedback response 1618.1 and NDP feedbackresponse 1618.2, respectively. The NDP feedback response 1618 may be thesame or similar as NDP feedback response 1518, 1418, and/or NDP 1230 andresponse 1210. The NDP feedback responses 1618 may be transmitted on anRU 808 as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 8. The NDP feedbackresponses 1618 may be NDP TB PPDUs with the response being transmittedon a HE-LTF portion of the NDP TB PPDU, e.g., as disclosed inconjunction with FIGS. 12, 14, and 15. HE station 504.3 may not transmitas it did not receive the information for NDP feedback report poll 1622.HE station 504.3 may have not have received an indication to transmit,and the DL PPDU 1612 may have a duration (e.g., 904) that indicates alength of a TXOP 1612 or a duration for HE station 504.3 to defer beforetrying to transmit.

Method 1600 may be performed by an apparatus of a HE station 504, anapparatus of an HE AP 502, a HE station 504, or a HE AP 502. Method 1600may include one or more additional operations 1650. One or more ofoperations 1650 of method 1600 may not be performed.

FIG. 17 illustrates A-control field NDP feedback report blockacknowledgement (BA) trigger frame 1700 in accordance with someembodiments. The A-control field NDP feedback report BA trigger frame1700 includes one or more of the following fields: starting sequencenumber and/or traffic identification (TID) 1702, number of packets 1704,and additional fields 1706. The starting sequence number and/or TID 1702may be a starting sequence number of DL MPDUs that may have beentransmitted to a HE station 504 and/or HE AP 502, or a TID 1702 of DLMPDUs. The number of packets 1704 may be a number of packets that wereincluded in the DL MPDUs. The additional fields 1706 may be one or moreof the fields disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 9, 10, 11, or 13. Insome embodiments, the A-control field NDP feedback report BA triggerframe 1700 may be a NDP feedback report poll.

FIG. 18 illustrates a method 1800 for short BA with NDPs in accordancewith some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 18 is frequency 1802, time1804, transmitter/receiver 1806, TXOP 1808, responses 1818, DL PPDU1812, DL PPDU 1824, and operations 1850.

The frequency 1802 may be a bandwidth, e.g., 20 MHz. The frequency 1814may be the same or similar as frequency 814. Time 1804 may indicate theprogression of time. Transmitter/receiver 1806 indicates the device thatis transmitting and/or receiving, e.g., HE stations 504 and HE AP 502.

The HE stations 504 may include a MAC address 1823 and an AID 1825. TheAID 1825 may be assigned to the HE station 504 by the HE AP 502 duringassociation.

The method 1800 begins with the HE AP 502 transmitting DL PPDU 1812 toHE station 504.1 and HE station 504.2. The DL PPDU 1812 may be a triggerframe that includes a schedule that indicates to the HE station 504 howto decode the data, e.g., MPDUs 1822. The MPDUs 1822 may includesequence numbers 1823.

The method 1800 continues at operation 1856 with the HE AP 502transmitting DL PPDU 1824. The DL PPDU 1824 may be a trigger frame. Insome embodiments, the DL PPDU 1824 may be part of DL PPDU 1812, e.g., DLPPDU 1812 may be a DL MU trigger frame that includes information for theHE stations 504 to transmit a NDP BA response 1818. The DL PPDU mayinclude a MPDU 1823 that includes information 1820 and destinationaddress 1821. Information 1820 may be information for NDP feedbackreport poll (e.g., 1700) or A-control field NDP feedback report BAtrigger frame (e.g., 1700), in accordance with some embodiments.Destination address 1821 may be a unicast address, multi-cast address,or broadcast address.

The method 1800 continues at operation 1858 with the HE stations 504waiting a duration, e.g., SIFS, before transmitting. HE station 504.1and HE station 504.2 decode the DL PPDU 1824 and determine that theycontain MPDU 1823. HE station 504.1 and HE station 504.2 determine basedon MPDU 1823 (e.g., destination address 1821) and/or information 1820that they are scheduled to transmit NDP BA responses 1818, e.g., HEstation 504.1 and HE station 504.2 may determine they are scheduled asdisclosed in conjunction with FIG. 12, 14, 15, or 16.

HE station 504.1 and HE station 504.2 then determine the type of NDP BAresponse 1818 requested, e.g., as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 12,14, 15, or 16. For example, information 1820 may be a A-control fieldNDP feedback report BA trigger frame 1700 with a control ID 1302 thatindicates a NDP feedback report BA trigger frame.

HE station 504.1 and HE station 504.2 then determine one or more RUs totransmit the NDP BA response 1818.1 and NDP BA response 1818.2,respectively, e.g., as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 12, 14, 15, or16. In some embodiments, HE station 504.1 and HE station 504.2 maydetermine RUs 808 based on how many MPDUs (e.g., number of packets 1704)to BA and a starting RU 808. HE station 504.1 and HE station 504.2 mayhave an RU to acknowledge each sequence number 1823 and/or an RU toacknowledge that all sequence numbers 1823 were received.

The method 1800 continues at operation 1860 with HE station 504.1 and HEstation 504.2 transmitting NDP BA response 1818.1 and NDP BA response1818.2, respectively. The NDP BA responses 1818 may be the same orsimilar as NDP feedback response 1618, 1518, 1418, and/or NDP 1230 andresponse 1210. The NDP BA responses 1818 may be transmitted on one ormore RUs 808 as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 8. In someembodiments, one RU 808 is used per MPDU that is being acknowledged,e.g., 12 tones. The NDP feedback responses 1818 may be NDP TB PPDUs withthe response being transmitted on a HE-LTF portion of the NDP TB PPDU,e.g., as disclosed in conjunction with FIGS. 12, 14, 15, and 16. HEstation 504.3 may not transmit as it was not scheduled by DL PPDU 1824.HE station 504.3 may have set a duration to defer based on the TXOP1812, which may be a duration based on a duration (e.g., 904) of DL PPDU1812. In some embodiments, there may be one MPDU 1923 per HE station 504that is scheduled to respond with a NDP BA response 1818, e.g., thedestination address 1821 may be a unicast address of a HE station 504,e.g., MAC address 1823.

Method 1800 may be performed by an apparatus of a HE station 504, anapparatus of an HE AP 502, a HE station 504, or a HE AP 502. Method 1800may include one or more additional operations 1850. One or more ofoperations 1850 of method 1800 may not be performed.

FIG. 19 illustrates a method 1900 of control field for NDP feedbackreport trigger in accordance with some embodiments. The method 1900begins at operation 1902 with decoding a MPDU comprising an A-controlfield of type NDP feedback report poll, the A-control field of type NDPfeedback report poll comprising a feedback type field and an indicationof a RU.

For example, HE stations 504 may decode MPDU 1422, MPDU 1522, or MPDU1622.1. The MPDUs 1422.1 or 1422.2, MPDU 1522, or MPDU 1622.1. MPDUs1422.1 and 1422.2 may include information for NDP feedback report poll1420 which may be a A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll.Information for NDP feedback report poll 1420 may include feedback typefield and an indication of a RU as disclosed in conjunction with FIG.14. MPDUs 1522 may include information for NDP feedback report poll 1520which may be a A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll.Information for NDP feedback report poll 1520 may include feedback typefield and an indication of a RU as disclosed in conjunction with FIG.15. MPDUs 1622 may include information for NDP feedback report poll 1620which may be a A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll.Information for NDP feedback report poll 1620 may include feedback typefield and an indication of a RU as disclosed in conjunction with FIG.16.

The method 1900 may continue at operation 1904 with determining whetherthe station is scheduled to respond to the A-control field of type NDPfeedback report poll. In some embodiments, HE stations 504 as disclosedin conjunction with FIG. 14 may determine whether they are scheduledbased on whether a destination address 1421 of a MPDU 1422 (thatincludes information for NDP feedback report poll 1420) matches a MACaddress 1423 of the HE station 504.

In some embodiments, HE stations 504 as disclosed in conjunction withFIG. 15 may determine whether they are scheduled based on an AID 1525 ofthe HE station 504, a number of HE stations scheduled, and a startingAID (e.g., 1102). The HE station 504 may be able to determine the numberof HE stations scheduled and the starting AID from information for NDPfeedback report poll 1520.

In some embodiments, HE stations 504 as disclosed in conjunction withFIG. 16 may determine whether they are scheduled based on an AID 1625 ofthe HE station 504, a number of HE stations scheduled, and a startingAID (e.g., 1102). The HE station 504 may be able to determine the numberof HE stations scheduled and the starting AID from information for NDPfeedback report poll 1620. In some embodiments, HE stations 504 asdisclosed in conjunction with FIG. 16 may determine whether they arescheduled based on whether a destination address 1621 with a value ofmulti-cast of a MPDU 1622 that includes information for NDP feedbackreport poll 1620 matches a MAC address 1623 of the HE station 504.

The method 1900 may continue at operation 1906 with if the station isscheduled to respond to the A-control field of type NDP feedback reportpoll, configuring the station to transmit a response to a feedback typeindicated by the value of the feedback type field on the RU.

In some embodiments, HE stations 504 as disclosed in conjunction withFIG. 14 may determine a feedback type based on the value of the feedbacktype field (e.g., 1104, 1310). The HE stations 504 may then determine aresponse to the feedback type (e.g, resource request) based on theirsituation.

Method 1900 may be performed by an apparatus of a HE station 504, anapparatus of an HE AP 502, a HE station 504, or a HE AP 502. Method 1900may include one or more additional operations. One or more of operationsmay not be performed.

FIG. 20 illustrates a method 2000 of control field for NDP feedbackreport trigger in accordance with some embodiments. The method 2000begins at operation 2002 with encoding a MPDU comprising an A-controlfield of type NDP feedback report poll, the A-control field of type NDPfeedback report poll comprising a feedback type field, an indication ofstations scheduled to respond, and an indication of a RU for each of thestations scheduled to respond.

In some embodiments, HE AP 502 as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 14may encode DL PPDU 1412 comprising MPDUs 1422. The MPDUs 1422 mayinclude information for NDP feedback report poll 1420. The informationfor NDP feedback report poll 1420 may include a feedback type field(e.g., feedback type field 1310, feedback type field 1104). Theinformation for NDP feedback report poll 1420 and/or the MPDU 1422 mayinclude an indication of stations scheduled as disclosed in conjunctionwith FIG. 14. The information for NDP feedback report poll 1420 mayinclude an indication of a RU for each of the stations scheduled torespond as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 14.

In some embodiments, HE AP 502 as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 15may encode DL PPDU 1512 comprising MPDUs 1522. The MPDUs 1522 mayinclude information for NDP feedback report poll 1520. The informationfor NDP feedback report poll 1520 may include a feedback type field(e.g., feedback type field 1310, feedback type field 1104). Theinformation for NDP feedback report poll 1520 and/or the MPDU 1522 mayinclude an indication of stations scheduled as disclosed in conjunctionwith FIG. 15. The information for NDP feedback report poll 1520 mayinclude an indication of a RU for each of the stations scheduled torespond as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 15.

In some embodiments, HE AP 502 as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 16may encode DL PPDU 1612 comprising MPDUs 1622. The MPDUs 1622 mayinclude information for NDP feedback report poll 1620. The informationfor NDP feedback report poll 1620 may include a feedback type field(e.g., feedback type field 1310, feedback type field 1104). Theinformation for NDP feedback report poll 1620 and/or the MPDU 1622 mayinclude an indication of stations scheduled as disclosed in conjunctionwith FIG. 16. The information for NDP feedback report poll 1620 mayinclude an indication of a RU for each of the stations scheduled torespond as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 16.

The method 2000 continues with operation 2004 with configuring theaccess point to transmit the MPDU. For example, an apparatus of HE AP502 of FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 may configure the HE AP 502 to transmit theMPDUs 1422.

The method 2000 continues with decoding responses from stationsscheduled to respond, where the responses are to a feedback typeindicated by a value of the feedback type field, and wherein theresponses are encoded in a HE LTF of a TB PPDU with no data portion(e.g., a NDP). For example, HE station 504 may decode NDP feedbackresponses 1418 as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 14. For example, HEstation 504 may decode NDP feedback responses 1518 as disclosed inconjunction with FIG. 15. For example, HE station 504 may decode NDPfeedback responses 1618 as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 16.

Method 2000 may be performed by an apparatus of a HE station 504, anapparatus of an HE AP 502, a HE station 504, or a HE AP 502. Method 2000may include one or more additional operations. One or more of operationsmay not be performed.

Some embodiments provide a technical solution to a problem of how tosolicit feedback from a large number of stations at the same time. Thetechnical solution is to provide RU (e.g., 808) that are small and toencode response directly on the tones by transmitting energy or nottransmitting energy. Some embodiments, provide a technical solution to aproblem of how to address a large number of stations for a large numberof responses in a concise way. The technical solution is to schedulestations based on a range of AIDs and to allow stations to determinewhether they are scheduled and an RU to respond on based on their AID, astarting AID, and a number of stations that are scheduled (which may bedetermined based on a BW and number of spatial streams.) Someembodiments provide a technical solution to the problem of how toreceive BAs. The technical solution is to use the technical solutionsprovided herein and assign a single RU to a sequence number.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments. Example 1 is anapparatus of a station, the apparatus comprising: memory; and processingcircuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuitry configured to:decode a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU) comprisingan A-control field of type null data packet (NDP) feedback report poll,the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll comprising afeedback type field and an indication of a resource unit (RU); determinewhether the station is scheduled to respond to the A-control field oftype NDP feedback report poll; and if the station is scheduled torespond to the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll,configure the station to transmit a response to a feedback typeindicated by a value of the feedback type field on the RU.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includeswherein the RU comprises a number of tones on which to transmit theresponse to the feedback type, wherein the number of tones comprises afirst set of tones and a second set of tones, and wherein transmittingenergy on the first set of tones and not transmitting energy on thesecond set of tones indicates a first response, and wherein nottransmitting energy on the first set of tones and transmitting energy onthe second set of tones indicates a second response to the feedbacktype.

In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2 optionally includes ptsper symbol. In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more ofExamples 1-3 optionally include wherein the MPDU further comprises adestination address, and wherein a value of the destination addressindicates the MPDU is addressed to the station, and wherein a value ofthe destination address is a media access control (MAC) address of thestation, or the value of the destination address is a multi-cast addressthat includes the MAC address of the station, and wherein the processingcircuitry is further configured to: determine the station is scheduledto respond to the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll basedon the value of the destination address indicating the MPDU is addressedto the station.

In Example 5, the subject matter of Example 4 optionally includeswherein the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll furthercomprises a RU allocation or tone set offset field, a spatial streamallocation field, and a bandwidth field, and wherein the processingcircuitry is further configured to: determine the RU based on a value ofthe RU allocation or tone set offset field, a value of the bandwidthfield, and a value of spatial stream allocation field.

In Example 6, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-5optionally include wherein the MPDU further comprises a destinationaddress, and wherein a value of the destination address is a broadcastaddress.

In Example 7, the subject matter of Example 6 optionally includeswherein the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll furthercomprises a starting association identification (AID), and wherein theprocessing circuitry is further configured to: if an AID of the stationis greater than or equal to a value of the starting AID field and lessthan the value of the starting AID plus a number of stations that arescheduled, configure the station to transmit the response to thefeedback type indicated by the value of the feedback type field on theRU.

In Example 8, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 6-7optionally include the A-control field of type NDP feedback report pollfurther comprises a bandwidth field, and wherein the processingcircuitry is configured to: determine the number of stations that arescheduled to respond to the A-control field of type NDP feedback reportpoll based on the value of the bandwidth field.

In Example 9, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-8optionally include wherein the A-control field of type NDP feedbackreport poll further comprises one or more fields from the followinggroup of fields: a starting association identification (AID) field, aspatial stream allocation field, a RU allocation or tone set field, acontrol identification, a target received signal strength indication(RSSI) field, a feedback size field, a bandwidth field, and a number oftones per high-efficiency (HE) long training field (HE-LTF) field.

In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-9optionally include wherein the processing circuitry is configured to:encode the response to the feedback type indicated by the value of thefeedback type field in a high efficiency long training field (HE-LTF) ofa trigger based physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocoldata unit (PPDU) with no data portion.

In Example 11, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-10optionally include wherein the A-control field of type NDP feedbackreport poll further comprises a bandwidth field, a spatial streamallocation field, and a starting association identification (AID), andwherein processing circuitry is further configured to: determine basedon an association identification of the station, a value of thebandwidth field, a value of the spatial stream allocation field, and avalue of the starting AID, the RU comprising a number of tones on whichto transmit the response to the feedback type.

In Example 12, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-11optionally include access point.

In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-12optionally include transceiver circuitry coupled to the processingcircuitry; and, one or more antennas coupled to the transceivercircuitry.

In Example 14, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-13optionally include wherein the station is configured to operate in awireless local area network (WLAN).

Example 15 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium thatstores instructions for execution by one or more processors, theinstructions to configure the one or more processors to cause a stationto: decode a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU)comprising an A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll, theA-control field of type NDP feedback report poll comprising a feedbacktype field and an indication of a resource unit (RU); determine whetherthe station is scheduled to respond to the A-control field of type NDPfeedback report poll; and if the station is scheduled to respond to theA-control field of type NDP feedback report poll, configure the stationto transmit a response to a feedback type indicated by the value of thefeedback type field on the RU.

In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15 optionally includeswherein the RU comprises a number of tones on which to transmit theresponse to the feedback type, wherein the number of tones comprises afirst set of tones and a second set of tones, and wherein transmittingenergy on the first set of tones and not transmitting energy on thesecond set of tones indicates a first response, and wherein nottransmitting energy on the first set of tones and transmitting energy onthe second set of tones indicates a second response.

In Example 17, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 15-16optionally include μs per symbol. In Example 18, the subject matter ofany one or more of Examples 15-17 optionally include wherein the MPDUfurther comprises a destination address, and wherein a value of thedestination address indicates the MPDU is addressed to the station, andwherein a value of the destination address is a media access control(MAC) address of the station, or the value of the destination address isa multi-cast address that includes the MAC address of the station, andwherein the instructions further configure the one or more processors tocause the station to: determine the station is scheduled to respond tothe A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll based on the valueof the destination address indicating the MPDU is addressed to thestation.

Example 19 is a method performed by an apparatus of a station, themethod comprising: decoding a media access control (MAC) protocol dataunit (MPDU) comprising an A-control field of type NDP feedback reportpoll, the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll comprising afeedback type field and an indication of a resource unit (RU);determining whether the station is scheduled to respond to the A-controlfield of type NDP feedback report poll; and if the station is scheduledto respond to the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll,configuring the station to transmit a response to a feedback typeindicated by the value of the feedback type field on the RU.

In Example 20, the subject matter of Example 19 optionally includeswherein the RU comprises a number of tones on which to transmit theresponse to the feedback type, wherein the number of tones comprises afirst set of tones and a second set of tones, and wherein transmittingenergy on the first set of tones and not transmitting energy on thesecond set of tones indicates a first response, and wherein nottransmitting energy on the first set of tones and transmitting energy onthe second set of tones indicates a second response.

Example 21 is an apparatus of an access point, the apparatus comprising:memory; and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processingcircuitry configured to: encode a media access control (MAC) protocoldata unit (MPDU) comprising an A-control field of type NDP feedbackreport poll, the A-control field of type NDP feedback report pollcomprising a feedback type field, an indication of stations scheduled torespond, and an indication of a resource unit (RU) for each of thestations scheduled to respond; configure the access point to transmitthe MPDU; and decode responses from stations scheduled to respond,wherein the responses are to a feedback type indicated by a value of thefeedback type field, and wherein the responses are encoded in ahigh-efficiency long training field (HE LTF) of a trigger based physicallayer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) with nodata portion.

In Example 22, the subject matter of Example 21 optionally includeswherein the MPDU comprises a destination address with a value ofbroadcast, and wherein the A-control field of type NDP feedback reportpoll further comprises a starting association identification (AID)field, a spatial stream allocation field, and a bandwidth field, andwherein a value of the bandwidth field and a value of the spatial streamallocation field indicate a number of stations, and wherein the numberof stations and a value of the starting AID field indicate the stationsscheduled to respond.

In Example 23, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 21-22optionally include wherein the MPDU comprises a destination address witha value of multi-cast, and wherein the value of multi-cast indicates thestations scheduled to respond.

In Example 24, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 21-23optionally include wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to: encode a plurality of MPDUs, each comprising an A-controlfield of type NDP feedback report poll with a destination address with avalue of a media access control (MAC) address of a station of thestations scheduled to respond.

In Example 25, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 21-24optionally include transceiver circuitry coupled to the processingcircuitry; and, one or more antennas coupled to the transceivercircuitry.

Example 26 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium thatstores instructions for execution by one or more processors, theinstructions to configure the one or more processors to cause an accesspoint to: encode a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU)comprising an A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll, theA-control field of type NDP feedback report poll comprising a feedbacktype field, an indication of stations scheduled to respond, and anindication of a resource unit (RU) for each of the stations scheduled torespond; configure the access point to transmit the MPDU; and decoderesponses from stations scheduled to respond, wherein the responses areto a feedback type indicated by a value of the feedback type field, andwherein the responses are encoded in a high-efficiency long trainingfield (HE LTF) of a trigger based physical layer convergence procedure(PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) with no data portion.

In Example 27, the subject matter of Example 26 optionally includeswherein the MPDU comprises a destination address with a value ofbroadcast, and wherein the A-control field of type NDP feedback reportpoll further comprises a starting association identification (AID)field, a spatial stream allocation field, and a bandwidth field, andwherein a value of the bandwidth field and a value of the spatial streamallocation field indicate a number of stations, and wherein the numberof stations and a value of the starting AID field indicate the stationsscheduled to respond.

In Example 28, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 26-27optionally include wherein the MPDU comprises a destination address witha value of multi-cast, and wherein the value of multi-cast indicates thestations scheduled to respond.

In Example 29, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 26-28optionally include wherein the instructions further configure the one ormore processors to cause the access point to: encode a plurality ofMPDUs, each comprising an A-control field of type NDP feedback reportpoll with a destination address with a value of a media access control(MAC) address of a station of the stations scheduled to respond.

Example 30 is a method performed by an access point, the methodcomprising: encoding a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit(MPDU) comprising an A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll,the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll comprising afeedback type field, an indication of stations scheduled to respond, andan indication of a resource unit (RU) for each of the stations scheduledto respond; configuring the access point to transmit the MPDU; anddecoding responses from stations scheduled to respond, wherein theresponses are to a feedback type indicated by a value of the feedbacktype field, and wherein the responses are encoded in a high-efficiencylong training field (HE LTF) of a trigger based physical layerconvergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) with no dataportion.

In Example 31, the subject matter of Example 30 optionally includeswherein the MPDU comprises a destination address with a value ofbroadcast, and wherein the A-control field of type NDP feedback reportpoll further comprises a starting association identification (AID)field, a spatial stream allocation field, and a bandwidth field, andwherein a value of the bandwidth field and a value of the spatial streamallocation field indicate a number of stations, and wherein the numberof stations and a value of the starting AID field indicate the stationsscheduled to respond.

In Example 32, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 30-31optionally include wherein the MPDU comprises a destination address witha value of multi-cast, and wherein the value of multi-cast indicates thestations scheduled to respond.

In Example 33, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 30-32optionally include the method further comprising: encoding a pluralityof MPDUs, each comprising an A-control field of type NDP feedback reportpoll with a destination address with a value of a media access control(MAC) address of a station of the stations scheduled to respond.

Example 34 is an apparatus of an access point, the apparatus comprising:means for encoding a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit(MPDU) comprising an A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll,the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll comprising afeedback type field, an indication of stations scheduled to respond, andan indication of a resource unit (RU) for each of the stations scheduledto respond; means for configuring the access point to transmit the MPDU;and means for decoding responses from stations scheduled to respond,wherein the responses are to a feedback type indicated by a value of thefeedback type field, and wherein the responses are encoded in ahigh-efficiency long training field (HE LTF) of a trigger based physicallayer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) with nodata portion.

In Example 35, the subject matter of Example 34 optionally includeswherein the MPDU comprises a destination address with a value ofbroadcast, and wherein the A-control field of type NDP feedback reportpoll further comprises a starting association identification (AID)field, a spatial stream allocation field, and a bandwidth field, andwherein a value of the bandwidth field and a value of the spatial streamallocation field indicate a number of stations, and wherein the numberof stations and a value of the starting AID field indicate the stationsscheduled to respond.

In Example 36, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 34-35optionally include wherein the MPDU comprises a destination address witha value of multi-cast, and wherein the value of multi-cast indicates thestations scheduled to respond.

In Example 37, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 34-36optionally include the apparatus further comprising: means for encodinga plurality of MPDUs, each comprising an A-control field of type NDPfeedback report poll with a destination address with a value of a mediaaccess control (MAC) address of a station of the stations scheduled torespond.

Example 38 is an apparatus of a station, the apparatus comprising: meansfor decoding a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU)comprising an A-control field of type null data packet (NDP) feedbackreport poll, the A-control field of type NDP feedback report pollcomprising a feedback type field and an indication of a resource unit(RU); means for determining whether the station is scheduled to respondto the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll; and if thestation is scheduled to respond to the A-control field of type NDPfeedback report poll, means for configuring the station to transmit aresponse to a feedback type indicated by a value of the feedback typefield on the RU.

In Example 39, the subject matter of Example 38 optionally includeswherein the RU comprises a number of tones on which to transmit theresponse to the feedback type, wherein the number of tones comprises afirst set of tones and a second set of tones, and wherein transmittingenergy on the first set of tones and not transmitting energy on thesecond set of tones indicates a first response, and wherein nottransmitting energy on the first set of tones and transmitting energy onthe second set of tones indicates a second response to the feedbacktype.

In Example 40, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 38-39optionally include μs per symbol. In Example 41, the subject matter ofany one or more of Examples 1-40 optionally include wherein the MPDUfurther comprises a destination address, and wherein a value of thedestination address indicates the MPDU is addressed to the station, andwherein a value of the destination address is a media access control(MAC) address of the station, or the value of the destination address isa multi-cast address that includes the MAC address of the station, andfurther comprising: means for determining the station is scheduled torespond to the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll based onthe value of the destination address indicating the MPDU is addressed tothe station.

In Example 42, the subject matter of Example 41 optionally includeswherein the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll furthercomprises a RU allocation or tone set offset field, a spatial streamallocation field, and a bandwidth field, and wherein further comprising:means for determining the RU based on a value of the RU allocation ortone set offset field, a value of the bandwidth field, and a value ofspatial stream allocation field.

In Example 43, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 38-42optionally include wherein the MPDU further comprises a destinationaddress, and wherein a value of the destination address is a broadcastaddress.

In Example 44, the subject matter of Example 43 optionally includeswherein the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll furthercomprises a starting association identification (AID), and furthercomprising: if an AID of the station is greater than or equal to a valueof the starting AID field and less than the value of the starting AIDplus a number of stations that are scheduled, means for configuring thestation to transmit the response to the feedback type indicated by thevalue of the feedback type field on the RU.

In Example 45, the subject matter of Example 44 optionally includes theA-control field of type NDP feedback report poll further comprises abandwidth field, and further comprising: means for determining thenumber of stations that are scheduled to respond to the A-control fieldof type NDP feedback report poll based on the value of the bandwidthfield.

In Example 46, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 38-45optionally include wherein the A-control field of type NDP feedbackreport poll further comprises one or more fields from the followinggroup of fields: a starting association identification (AID) field, aspatial stream allocation field, a RU allocation or tone set field, acontrol identification, a target received signal strength indication(RSSI) field, a feedback size field, a bandwidth field, and a number oftones per high-efficiency (HE) long training field (HE-LTF) field.

In Example 47, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 38-46optionally include means for encoding the response to the feedback typeindicated by the value of the feedback type field in a high efficiencylong training field (HE-LTF) of a trigger based physical layerconvergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) with no dataportion.

In Example 48, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 38-47optionally include wherein the A-control field of type NDP feedbackreport poll further comprises a bandwidth field, a spatial streamallocation field, and a starting association identification (AID), andfurther comprising: means for determining based on an associationidentification of the station, a value of the bandwidth field, a valueof the spatial stream allocation field, and a value of the starting AID,the RU comprising a number of tones on which to transmit the response tothe feedback type.

In Example 49, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 38-48optionally include access point. In Example 50, the subject matter ofany one or more of Examples 38-49 optionally include means forprocessing radio frequency signals coupled to means for storing andretrieving data; and, means for transmitting and receiving radiofrequency signals coupled to the means for processing radio frequencysignals.

In Example 51, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 38-50optionally include means for operating in a wireless local area network(WLAN).

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scopeor meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus of a station, the apparatuscomprising: memory; and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, theprocessing circuitry configured to: decode a media access control (MAC)protocol data unit (MPDU) comprising an A-control field of type nulldata packet (NDP) feedback report poll, the A-control field of type NDPfeedback report poll comprising a feedback type field, a bandwidthfield, a spatial stream allocation field, and a starting associationidentification (AID); determine whether the station is scheduled torespond to the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll; if thestation is scheduled to respond to the A-control field of type NDPfeedback report poll, determine based on an association identificationof the station a value of the bandwidth field, a value of the spatialstream allocation field, and a value of the starting AID, a resourceunit (RU) comprising a number of tones on which to transmit the responseto the feedback type, and configure the station to transmit a responseto a feedback type indicated by a value of the feedback type field onthe RU.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the number of tonescomprises a first set of tones and a second set of tones, and whereintransmitting energy on the first set of tones and not transmittingenergy on the second set of tones indicates a first response, andwherein not transmitting energy on the first set of tones andtransmitting energy on the second set of tones indicates a secondresponse to the feedback type.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein theresource unit is part of a high efficiency long training field (HE-LTF)comprising two symbols with a 16 μs per symbol.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the MPDU further comprises a destination address, andwherein a value of the destination address indicates the MPDU isaddressed to the station, and wherein a value of the destination addressis a media access control (MAC) address of the station, or the value ofthe destination address is a multi-cast address that includes the MACaddress of the station, and wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to: determine the station is scheduled to respond to theA-control field of type NDP feedback report poll based on the value ofthe destination address indicating the MPDU is addressed to the station.5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the MPDU further comprises adestination address, and wherein a value of the destination address is abroadcast address.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the A-controlfield of type NDP feedback report poll further comprises a startingassociation identification (AID), and wherein the processing circuitryis further configured to: if an AID of the station is greater than orequal to a value of the starting AID field and less than the value ofthe starting AID plus a number of stations that are scheduled, configurethe station to transmit the response to the feedback type indicated bythe value of the feedback type field on the RU.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 6, the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll furthercomprises a bandwidth field, and wherein the processing circuitry isconfigured to: determine the number of stations that are scheduled torespond to the A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll based onthe value of the bandwidth field.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe A-control field of type NDP feedback report poll further comprisesone or more fields from the following group of fields: a startingassociation identification (AID) field, a spatial stream allocationfield, a RU allocation or tone set field, a control identification, atarget received signal strength indication (RSSI) field, a feedback sizefield, a bandwidth field, and a number of tones per high-efficiency (HE)long training field (HE-LTF) field.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe processing circuitry is configured to: encode the response to thefeedback type indicated by the value of the feedback type field in ahigh efficiency long training field (HE-LTF) of a trigger based physicallayer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) with nodata portion.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the station is onefrom the following group: an Institute of Electrical and ElectronicEngineers (IEEE) 802.11 ax access point, an IEEE 802.11ax station, anIEEE 802.11 station, an IEEE 802.11ax non-AP STA, and an IEEE 802.11access point.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprisingtransceiver circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry; and, one ormore antennas coupled to the transceiver circuitry.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the station is configured to operate in a wirelesslocal area network (WEAN).
 13. A non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or moreprocessors, the instructions to configure the one or more processors tocause a station to: decode a media access control (MAC) protocol dataunit (MPDU) comprising an A-control field of type null data packet (NDP)feedback report poll, the A-control field of type NDP feedback reportpoll comprising a feedback type field, a bandwidth field, a spatialstream allocation field, and a starting association identification(AID); determine whether the station is scheduled to respond to theA-control field of type NDP feedback report poll; if the station isscheduled to respond to the A-control field of type NDP feedback reportpoll, determine based on an association identification of the station, avalue of the bandwidth field, a value of the spatial stream allocationfield, and a value of the starting AID, a resource unit (RU) comprisinga number of tones on which to transmit the response to the feedbacktype, and configure the station to transmit a response to a feedbacktype indicated by a value of the feedback type field on the RU.
 14. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein thenumber of tones comprises a first set of tones and a second set oftones, and wherein transmitting energy on the first set of tones and nottransmitting energy on the second set of tones indicates a firstresponse, and wherein not transmitting energy on the first set of tonesand transmitting energy on the second set of tones indicates a secondresponse.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 13, wherein the resource unit is part of a high efficiency longtraining field (HE-LTF) comprising two symbols with a 16 μs per symbol.16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13,wherein the MPDU further comprises a destination address, and wherein avalue of the destination address indicates the MPDU is addressed to thestation, and wherein a value of the destination address is a mediaaccess control (MAC) address of the station, or the value of thedestination address is a multi-cast address that includes the MACaddress of the station, and wherein the instructions further configurethe one or more processors to cause the station to: determine thestation is scheduled to respond to the A-control field of type NDPfeedback report poll based on the value of the destination addressindicating the MPDU is addressed to the station.
 17. A method performedby an apparatus of a station, the method comprising: decoding a mediaaccess control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU) comprising an A-controlfield of type null data packet (NDP) feedback report poll, the A-controlfield of type NDP feedback report poll comprising a feedback type field,a bandwidth field, a spatial stream allocation field, and a startingassociation identification (AID); determining whether the station isscheduled to respond to the A-control field of type NDP feedback reportpoll; if the station is scheduled to respond to the A-control field oftype NDP feedback report poll, determining based on an associationidentification of the station, a value of the bandwidth field, a valueof the spatial stream allocation field, and a value of the starting AID,a resource unit (RU) comprising a number of tones on which to transmitthe response to the feedback type, and configuring the station totransmit a response to a feedback type indicated by a value of thefeedback type field on the RU.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein thenumber of tones comprises a first set of tones and a second set oftones, and wherein transmitting energy on the first set of tones and nottransmitting energy on the second set of tones indicates a firstresponse, and wherein not transmitting energy on the first set of tonesand transmitting energy on the second set of tones indicates a secondresponse.
 19. An apparatus of an access point, the apparatus comprising:memory; and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processingcircuitry configured to: encode a media access control (MAC) protocoldata unit (MPDU) comprising an A-control field of type NDP feedbackreport poll, the A-control field of type NDP feedback report pollcomprising a feedback type field, an indication of stations scheduled torespond, and an indication of a resource unit (RU) for each of thestations scheduled to respond, wherein the MPDU comprises a destinationaddress with a value of broadcast, and wherein the A-control field oftype NDP feedback report poll further comprises a starting associationidentification (AID) field, a spatial stream allocation field, and abandwidth field, and wherein a value of the bandwidth field and a valueof the spatial stream allocation field indicate a number of stations,and wherein the number of stations and a value of the starting AID fieldindicate the stations scheduled to respond; configure the access pointto transmit the MPDU; and decode responses from the stations scheduledto respond, wherein the responses are to a feedback type indicated by avalue of the feedback type field, and wherein the responses are encodedin a high-efficiency long training field (HE LTF) of a trigger basedphysical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU)with no data portion.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the MPDUcomprises a destination address with a value of multi-cast, and whereinthe value of multi-cast indicates the stations scheduled to respond. 21.The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to: encode a plurality of MPDUs, each comprising an A-controlfield of type NDP feedback report poll with a destination address with avalue of a media access control (MAC) address of a station of thestations scheduled to respond.
 22. The apparatus of claim 19, furthercomprising transceiver circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry;and, one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuitry.